ABSTRACT

Science fiction can be seen as a diagnosis of the present, and a vision of possible futures. It therefore provides an excellent resource with which to interrogate both contemporary organizing processes and organizations as institutions. The marginal activity of science fiction has, however, been largely ignored in writing on organization theory. This international collection is the first book of its kind to explore how science fiction can enrich studies of organization by drawing on perspectives across the arts and social sciences.

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

More amazing tales

part |2 pages

PART I For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky*

chapter 1|16 pages

‘Give me your mirrorshades’

Science fiction ‘methodology’ meets the social and organizational sciences

part |2 pages

PART III Is there in truth no beauty?*

chapter 8|18 pages

Reading Star Trek

Imagining, theorizing, and reflecting on organizational discourse and practice

chapter 9|17 pages

From the Borgias to the Borg (and back again)

Rethinking organizational futures

chapter 10|17 pages

Of Philip K. Dick, reflexivity and shifting realities

Organizing (writing) in our post-industrial society

chapter 11|14 pages

‘I am a man, and nothing human is alien to me’

Alienation and freakishness

part |2 pages

PART IV The gamesters of Triskelion*

chapter 12|11 pages

‘Repent Harlequin!’ said the Ticktockman

Digesting science fiction

chapter 13|11 pages

Cyberpunk management