Critical Management Studies and public administration: Reinterpreting democratic governance using critical theory and poststructuralism

Abstract

In this article we present the schools of thought comprising Critical Management Studies (CMS), explore their implications for public administration, and provide an alternate definition of democratic governance. We synthesize and describe the “modern stream,” inspired by the Frankfurt School, and the “postmodern stream,” associated with poststructuralist authors. Despite significant epistemological and ontological differences, these perspectives complement each other and cast new light on democratic governance. We present the respective theories of Foucault and Habermas, explore their implications for public administration, reconcile their views on power as a basis for a normative definition for so‐called good governance, and redefine the concept of “democratic governance.”

Theory and Evidence on the Relationship between Leadership Style and Organizational Performance: A Case in Small Medium Enterprises in East Malaysia

“…The theory that analyzes development of Democratic Leadership style is Critical Theory (Hudon & Rouillard, 2015). The founder of Critical Theory is Max Horkheimer and the year found is 1937 (Horkheimer, 1937).…”

“…Future research is needed on Critical Theory because the managers do not have clear knowledge and understanding of the strategies they need to adapt. The new research can look into the motivational factors (Hudon & Rouillard, 2015). Figure 2.14 the extended theoretical framework on Critical Theory should include social conditions, instrumental rationality and capitalism to evaluate democratic leadership in today's 21st century.…”

“…It also includes the followers with their attributes. (Nagendra and Farooqui, 2016;Obiwuru, et al, 2014;Choudhary, et al, 2013;Grabo, et al, 2017;Hudon and Rouillard, 2015;Yishuang, 2016;Borgatta, et al, 1954;Colbert, et al, 2012;Drysdale, et al, 2016).…”

The Canadian Federal Government and Normativity Transformations: Towards a Reconfiguration of Governmentality in Canada?

“…To this end, this paper will rely on critical management studies (CMS) and Foucaldian governmentality (Hudon and Rouillard 2015). The preferred methodological approach will be a textual analysis of primary sources (PSMA and other supporting documents).…”

Between the Managerial and the Democratic University: Governance Structure and Academic Freedom as Sites of Political Struggle

“…Based on this understanding of the democratic university, and rooted in Critical Managerial Studies (CMS) (Hudon & Rouillard, 2015), this article seeks to highlight some of the key tensions between the 'managerial university' and the democratic university, as reflected in institutional structures, regulations, legal frameworks, and principles. It offers a normative evaluation of the impact the managerial reengineering of Canadian universities has had on the possibility and practice of a more democratic university.…”