ABSTRACT

Studying organizations from a cultural perspective has become the latest “new wave” in social science research. In the beginning of the Pilotta, Widman, and Jasko article a number of questions are raised about this approach, but one stands out as particularly important: “Can interpretive methods focused upon the cultural aspects of organiza- tional life be employed to examine the practical factors with which organi- zational members must continually cope?” (p. 310). Interpretive methods often appear to provide more insights for the researchers than for the practitioners. An additional question that might be asked is, “Are we writing for ourselves because we are intrigued with our own thoughts or are we writing for the benefit of those working in the cultures we are attempting to study?” Unfortunately, Pilotta et al. appear to fall prey to the very criticism they have of other research efforts: “Interpretive methodologies appear more intent upon exorcising the ghosts of positivism and functionalism than upon articulating principled methodologically and theoretically accountable tools of their own” (p. 310).