Critique in the Name of What? Postmodernism and Critical Approaches to Organization

Organization Studies · 1995 · Volume 16 · Issue 4

Abstract

This paper will relate some of the recent arguments about postmodernism and organization theory to the further development of a critical theory of organiza tions. I will argue that postmodernism is a dangerous, and potentially disabling 'perspective' for critical theorists to adopt and that any emancipatory project is not well served by giving up on notions of 'truth' and 'progress'. Instead, I suggest that 'critical modernism' allows for the relativity of truth claims whilst also providing a reason to write about organizations at all.

Keywords

Descriptors: postmodernism, relativism, organizations, critical theory, ethics

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