Robert Donmoyer

Knowledge Is Not What It Used to Be: Organizational Research Implications of Critical Theory and Postmodern Thought

Introduction

Knowledge is not what it used to be: organizational research implications of critical theory and postmodern thought. Explore how critical theory & postmodern thought redefine knowledge, challenging traditional empirical research in organizational studies. Discuss problematic & defensible applications.

Abstract

Critical theory and postmodern/poststructuralist thought continue to be influential in academia and, increasingly, even in some parts of popular culture. Both movements, in somewhat different ways, challenge the traditional conception of knowledge as “justified true belief,” as well as claims that empirical research can provide such knowledge. Because academia tends to be siloed (One university in Australia, for example, even established two different departments in the same academic discipline, one for critical theorists, the other for more traditional academics.), social scientists who study organizations empirically often have ignored or, possibly, may not even be aware of critical theory and/or postmodernist thought. This paper explores a range of exceptions to this statement. Some of the exceptions discussed here are quite problematic; others appear to represent more defensible ways to inquire into organizations and organizational life from a critical theory or postmodernist perspective.

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