Postmodernism and organizations

the long version

The impact of postmodernism has been widely felt throughout the social sciences and humanities. This important and stimulating volume explores the implications of postmodernist/poststructuralist thinking for organizations and organizational analysis. Contributions span a broad range of critical appreciation. While some celebrate the 'postmodernist challenge' to traditional organization theory, others offer a more cautious welcome, while yet others present major critique. An introduction outlines the concepts underpinning a postmodern organizational analysis, contrasting modern and postmodern forms of explanation and addressing the distinctions between postmodernity and postmodernism. Succeeding chapters then examine and assess the interplay of major postmodernist themes - for example, deconstruction, desire, difference, pluralism and relativism - with key topics of organizational analysis and research. The final section confronts the postmodern 'turn', as its authors variously argue that postmodernism fails adequately to address the realities of power, control and change in a globalizing world. Addressing issues no contemporary work on organization can ignore, Postmodernism and Organizations will be essential reading for all those concerned with new developments in organization theory, organizational behaviour and the sociology and psychology of organizations.