Reclaiming pragmatism: turning management onto its philosophical head
Author(s)
Bissett, Ngaire
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2006
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This paper links the current preoccupation with narrow framings of 'knowledge management' with wider deeply-embedded rationalist scientific principles that underpin dominant management narratives. In light of the complexities managers face in the post-industrial context, this reductionist model represents a barrier to achieving sustainable innovative business processes. An alternative integrated theory-practice framework is posited catering to contemporary unstable and unpredictable organisational conditions. As a relationships-centred sensibility the perspective has potential to stimulate capacity for creativity in terms ...
View more >This paper links the current preoccupation with narrow framings of 'knowledge management' with wider deeply-embedded rationalist scientific principles that underpin dominant management narratives. In light of the complexities managers face in the post-industrial context, this reductionist model represents a barrier to achieving sustainable innovative business processes. An alternative integrated theory-practice framework is posited catering to contemporary unstable and unpredictable organisational conditions. As a relationships-centred sensibility the perspective has potential to stimulate capacity for creativity in terms of people management and operational processes. Replacing the outdated 'work ethic' concept, it is represented operationally as a 'serious-play' ethic which caters to the contradictory and nuanced embodied character of organisational living. The model is demonstrated by reference to particular exemplary avant-garde companies. Knowledge-management, relationalism, embodiment, innovation, pragmatic-philosophy
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View more >This paper links the current preoccupation with narrow framings of 'knowledge management' with wider deeply-embedded rationalist scientific principles that underpin dominant management narratives. In light of the complexities managers face in the post-industrial context, this reductionist model represents a barrier to achieving sustainable innovative business processes. An alternative integrated theory-practice framework is posited catering to contemporary unstable and unpredictable organisational conditions. As a relationships-centred sensibility the perspective has potential to stimulate capacity for creativity in terms of people management and operational processes. Replacing the outdated 'work ethic' concept, it is represented operationally as a 'serious-play' ethic which caters to the contradictory and nuanced embodied character of organisational living. The model is demonstrated by reference to particular exemplary avant-garde companies. Knowledge-management, relationalism, embodiment, innovation, pragmatic-philosophy
View less >
Conference Title
2006 Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management. Management: Pragmatism, Philsophy Priorities