Disorganization Theory Explorations in Alternative Organizational Analysis

Organizational analysis has moved in a number of directions since its origins in mainstream theories of positivism and functionalism. This challengingbook sets out an alternative agenda for the field, discussing existing critical discourses, whilst exploring a selection of emerging ideas and arguments. Addressing a series of key epistemological, conceptual and methodological issues, Disorganization Theory is designed to encourage reflexive thinking on the part of the reader. Influenced by critical philosophies of deconstruction and discourse, the book not only offers insight into established debates surrounding, for example, postmodernism and actor-network theory, but also brings forth new insights in the field: mimesis, consumption, retrospection, decoration, governmentality, and fluidity theories are all discussed. Written by an international team of leading organizational theorists, this book is an important and contentious addition to the literature. It is an ideal companion for students and researchers working in the fields of advanced organization and management theory, and critical management studies.

Part I Alternative knowledge 1 Paradigm plurality and its prospects 2 Organizational knowledge: production and consumption 3 Escaping the confines of organization theory (with Ian Atkin) Part II Alternative concepts 4 Actor-networks and sociological symmetry (with Christine McLean) 5 Identity and fluidity (with Beverly Metcalfe) 6 Time and temporality 7 Decoration and disorganization (with Stella Minahan)8 Governmentality and networks Part III Alternative methodology 9 Actor-networks, research strategy and organization (with Nick Lee) 10 Rethinking triangulation 11 Critical retrospective research 12 Concluding remarks: a future agenda for alternative organization studies

John Hassard is Professor of Organizational Analysis at the Manchester Business School and Senior Professorial Research Associate at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. Mihaela Kelemen is Professor of Management Studies in the School of Economic and Management Studies, Keele University. Julie Wolfram Cox is Professor of Management in the Bowater School of Management and Marketing at Deakin University, Victoria, Australia.