Operationalizing cultural political economy: towards critical grounded theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claes Axel Belfrage ◽  
Felix Hauf
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cultural Political Economy ◽  
Economic Analyses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take conceptual and methodological steps towards the elaboration of the critical grounded theory (CGT) method. Design/methodology/approach – Starting from conceptual issues with mapping everyday discourses and practices in their broader societal context in organisational ethnography, cultural political economy (CPE) is proposed as a suitable theoretical framework for integrating the cultural dimension of discourses and imaginaries into political-economic analyses of organisation and management. The CGT method is introduced for empirical operationalisation. Findings – Grounded theory tools for working with ethnographic data can be employed within critical approaches such as CPE although they originate from positivist social science. The need to combine ethnographic fieldwork with substantial theoretical work and/or critical discourse analysis may be met by CGT, which affords the ethnographic strengths of grounded theory without, however, bracketing the critical-theoretical insights of CPE. Research limitations/implications – The usefulness of CGT has been tentatively tested, but requires thorough meta-theoretical and methodological development, which is what is undertaken here. Social implications – CGT expects and takes account of the social implications of its employment in the field. Originality/value – First steps towards a new critical method for organisation and management studies are taken. Although originating from concern with CPE, the CGT method may appeal to a wider audience of critical scholars across the social sciences.

The Gentle Art of Retroduction: Critical Realism, Cultural Political Economy and Critical Grounded Theory

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claes Belfrage ◽  
Felix Hauf
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Critical Methodology ◽  
Cultural Political Economy

This article, first, proposes critical grounded theory (CGT) as a way to develop systematically an array of methods and theoretical propositions into a coherent critical methodology for organization studies (and beyond). Second, it demonstrates CGT’s usefulness through a case study of competing recovery projects from the Icelandic financial crisis. CGT is developed in engagement with the emerging paradigm of cultural political economy (CPE) and its preferred method of critical discourse analysis (CDA). CPE analyses the evolution of ‘economic imaginaries’ in both their structural/material and semiotic/discursive dimensions. This requires a critical realist, multi-dimensional research strategy which emphasizes ethnographic methods and substantial theoretical and historical work. The proposed methodology of CGT enables a retroductive research process that combines deductive theoretical deskwork with inductive fieldwork enabled by grounded theory tools to analyse organizational process, stability and change.

scholarly journals Free or paid: the uses of Roses Citadel (Catalonia)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Josep Burch ◽  
Modest Fluvià ◽  
Ricard Rigall ◽  
Albert Saló ◽  
Gabriel Alcalde
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
Social Use ◽  
The Town

Purpose The Roses Citadel is a bastioned fortification that has archaeological remains from the Greek, Roman and medieval periods in its interior. Currently, the area inside the Citadel is used for a wide range of activities; some directly related with the heritage item, others associated with its use as a public space for the town. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the economic interest of charging an entrance fee vs the alternative of free access and offers a framework to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach The proposal is to consider the marginal cost of increasing the number of users and to carry out a travel cost analysis. It is vital to take into account the results of specifically economic analyses, but the evaluations of social policies should also be considered, and should have a considerable weight in decision making. Findings It is proposed that free entry would bring about an increase in the number of visitors and users of Roses Citadel. In turn, this increase would lead to a greater social use of this heritage asset, and a chance for the least privileged sectors of society to use the site more. Financial resources for the maintenance of the asset would not be raised through entry fees, but through contributions relating to the increase in the social consideration of the site. Originality/value In the context of a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of paying an entry fee for heritage assets, the example of Roses Citadel provides several factors for consideration. It shows that payment of an entry fee affects use of the site by society, and particularly by the local community, whereas free access leads to a wide range of opportunities for use.

Employees first, customers second and shareholders third? Towards a modern HR philosophy

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
True Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Companies ◽  
Brand Ambassadors ◽  
Southwest Airlines ◽  
Goals And Objectives ◽  
Whole Foods

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to place an emphasis on the philosophy of “employees first, customers second, and shareholders third”. Design/methodology/approach It outlines the advantages of this philosophy and illustrates with examples of global companies including Google, Virgin, Alibaba, Facebook, LinkedIn, FedEx Corporation, Southwest Airlines, Whole Foods, and Costco. Findings It concludes to treat your employees as assets and convert them into your brand ambassadors to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. Practical implications These strategies can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggests that leaders can achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness by adopting these strategies. Originality/value It substantiates that employees are the true value creators for any organization. It explores soft leadership and elaborates the changing mindsets of the employees globally. It enlightens to treat people as people and partners, not as workers.

To be or not to be…at work while ill

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
James MacGregor ◽  
J. Barton Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Public Employees ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leader Support ◽  
Goal Clarity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
Organizational Antecedents ◽  
First Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the results from two public sector organizations to test a model of the organizational antecedents and health consequences of sickness presenteeism (SP) in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe study reports on two surveys of public employees, one including 237 respondents and another of 391 employees. The combined sample allowed for the testing of a model of organizational antecedents and the health consequences of SP.FindingsThe results supported the model, indicating that increased leader support and goal clarity decrease SP indirectly through increased trust. Decreasing presenteeism is associated with decreased sickness absence and better health.Practical implicationsThe key practical application is in encouraging managers and scholars to recognize that the costs of presenteeism are as higher or higher than the costs of absenteeism.Social implicationsThe social implications are clear in helping us recognize that when people come to work sick, they are not productive and are endangering the productivity of others.Originality/valueThis is the first time that research had defined and operationalized a causal model linking antecedents such as leader-member relations, goal clarity and trust with SP and absenteeism.

Exploring the process of workplace bullying in Indian organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpana Rai ◽  
Upasna A. Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Workplace Bullying ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Validity Of Results ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Bullying Policy ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of workplace bullying in Indian organizations from the victims’ perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the grounded theory approach and centered on the participants’ experiences, interpretations, and reactions toward bullying. In total, 23 self-reported victims formed the sample of the study. Data from interviews were analyzed using the coding procedure of grounded theory methodology. To enhance the validity of results, in addition to interviews, member checking technique was also used. Findings The study revealed that the process of workplace bullying in Indian organizations can be broadly explained in four sequential phases: exposure and confusion over mistreatment; making attributions; utilizing options within the organization; and adjustment with the current situation. The findings highlight the importance of sense-making, the social support network, complexity of coping behaviors, silence motives of employees as well as negative and nourishing effects of workplace bullying. The role of culture is visible in the bullying dynamics. Research limitations/implications The study examined bullying from the victims’ perspective; however, perpetrator and bystanders’ perspective would have added interesting insights into the findings. Practical implications The findings point toward the rhetoric of HRM practices in Indian organizations. A well formulated and implemented anti-bullying policy will reduce the rhetoric of HRM practices in Indian organizations. Originality/value The present study contributes to the limited literature on the process of workplace bullying by exploring the process in a new national context (India).

Licence to operate

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Klemelä
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Status ◽  
Licence To Operate ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Purpose The Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework has been developed for mapping and measuring social impact. It may be used for legitimating organisations and projects. The framework is often criticised for its overemphasis of the SROI ratio, i.e. the relationship between monetised benefits and costs. This study aims to demonstrate how the SROI method legitimates organisations or projects with multiple other discursive ways besides the SROI ratio. It also discusses the status of these other ways of legitimation in relation to the quantifying and monetising core tendency of SROI. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data consist of an SROI guidebook and 12 SROI reports. Their study applies Theo van Leeuwen’s ideas for analysing the discursive legitimation of social practices. The study takes place broadly in the framework of Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis, aided by qualitative content analysis. Findings In the analysis, the full spectrum of the van Leeuwenian legitimation means used by SROI – authorisation, rationalisation, moral evaluation and mythopoetical narration – is brought out in the data and the status and social context of the legitimation means are assessed and discussed. It is shown that there is existing potential for broader and more visible use of different legitimation means. Practical implications Based on the findings of the study, suggestions for the improvement of SROI reporting by a more balanced explicit use of the multitude of legitimation means are presented. Originality/value The study is original both in its subject (the spectrum of legitimation in SROI) and its method (qualitative discursive and contentual analysis of SROI as a legitimating discourse).

scholarly journals Strategies for transcending the chaos of societal disruptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
John C. Camillus ◽  
Jeffrey E. Baker ◽  
Anushka I. Daunt ◽  
Jungyoon Jang
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Societal Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Options Approach ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to offer a strategic management response to societal disruptions of the magnitude triggered by the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions. These pose challenges that are much greater and different in kind than the industry-wide disruptions that businesses have learned to manage. Pandemics, climate change, biotech and artificial intelligence guarantee that such societal disruptions will be an inescapable and recurring reality. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on the strategic management responses to wicked problems, which possess in microcosm the chaotic ambiguity that characterizes societal disruptions. Findings The authors propose a management process that affirms a sense of identity, identifies robust actions, adopts a real-options approach and uses a platform organization. Research limitations/implications The primary limitation is that the recommendations and findings are extrapolations of organizational practices in analogous situations. No examples of formal management processes specifically designed to address societal disruptions were identified. Practical implications The practical implications are significant. The specific recommendations in the paper directly address strategic management practice in organizations. Social implications The social implications are integral to the motivation of the paper as it describes the intrinsic characteristics of societal change and transformation, enabling organizations to interact with society on a dynamic basis. Originality/value While there has been growing interest and research into business and industry disruptions, the challenge of societal disruptions, which is the focus of this paper, has not been directly addressed.

scholarly journals Can universities save us from disaster?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Natural Science ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Social Philosophy ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Task ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to spell out the urgent need to correct structural rationality defects in academia as it exists at present, so that it may become actively and effectively engaged in helping us solve the grave global problems that confront us. Design/methodology/approach The paper spells out an argument for the urgent need to bring about a revolution in academic inquiry so that the basic aim becomes social wisdom and not just specialized knowledge, problems of living being put at the heart of the academic enterprise. Findings Natural science needs to become more like natural philosophy; social science needs to become social methodology or social philosophy; and a basic task of academia needs to become public education about what our problems are and what we need to do about them. Almost every part and aspect of academia needs to change. Research limitations/implications The implication is the urgent need to bring about an intellectual/institutional revolution in academic inquiry, so that the aim becomes wisdom, and not just knowledge. Practical implications There are substantial practical implications for natural science, social inquiry and the humanities, education, social, economic and political life. Social implications There is a need for a new kind of academic inquiry rationally designed and devoted to helping us make social progress towards as good a world as possible. The social implications are profound. Originality/value In the author’s view, bringing about the academic revolution, from knowledge-inquiry to wisdom-inquiry, is the single most important thing needed for the long-term interests of humanity.

The Age of No Retirement

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
Jonathan Collie
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Thinking ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the value, often overlooked, inherent within a society where people are living longer, healthier and more productively than ever before. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a summary of the activities, achievements and objectives of “The Age of No Retirement” movement for social change since its inception on 1st October 2014. Findings – The spectacular demand for new thinking and design-led action across all sectors of society to break down the ageist stereotypes that are impeding age-neutral societal progress in the UK. Practical implications – Communities, employers, individuals – EVERYONE – can begin to harness the incredible power of the Xtra 10 (the extra ten years of healthy life expectancy that modern generations can now expect – in the middle of their lives!). Social implications – The social implications are almost limitless – for a new era of over-50 makers, designers, entrepreneurs, workers, leaders, learners, teachers, doers, intergenerational catalysts, etc., the list goes on. Originality/value – The Age of No Retirement is a design-led social enterprise that is driving new thinking in the Age space.

Diatexts at work

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Manuti ◽  
Rosa Scardigno ◽  
Giuseppe Mininni
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Organizational Identity ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Young Workers ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices

Purpose The paper argues that the diatextual analysis could be considered a psycho-cultural path of critical discourse analysis because it stresses the role of hermeneutical procedures in catching the inter-subjective nature of meanings. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these theoretical speculations in light with some empirical evidences coming from a discursive study exploring the construction of organizational identity through socialization practices. Design/methodology/approach Two focus group discussions were conducted, respectively, with retired workers and young workers employed in the same working organization to investigate how workers discursively shape their sense of belonging to the organization. Narratives of past and present membership were analyzed adopting the diatextual perspective, which was precious in tracking down the discursive traces of subjectivity, modality and argumentation emerging from their discourses. Findings Diatextual analysis was a precious tool to explore organizational identity through the different rhetoric that older and young workers used to make sense of it: “enchantment” vs “disenchantment.” Research limitations/implications The study was a case study. It involved few people and results cannot be generalized, but the main aim of the paper was to support qualitative methodology. Practical implications The implication of the study are precious to design formal socialization and human resource management practices better attuned with the need of workers. Social implications The social implications are connected with a wider revision of the organizational policies in terms of HRM. Originality/value The value of this paper is the discursive diatextual approach in organizational research.

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