Theorizing from Habermasian notions in administration research

Abstract

Habermasian thought constitutes a significant reference in contemporary sociology and philosophy, permeating various fields of the social sciences, including administration, where it holds considerable potential. However, the transfer from its original loci in sociology and philosophy to different fields is not seamless and requires mediation. This article aims to demonstrate a way of mobilizing the Habermasian framework in administration research at the epistemological and methodological levels. The study employs a didactic case based on a research investigating communicative distortions in corporate sustainability reports. At the methodological level, the Habermasian framework helps to explore the procedures adopted in the didactic case, revealing the framework’s explanatory potential. This study seeks to stimulate the use of the Habermasian framework in administration research by replicating the approach introduced in this article or, more importantly, inspiring other forms of operationalizing the framework.