Exploring the visual in organizations and management

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to discuss how "the visual" might be conceptualised more broadly as a useful development of qualitative methodologies for organizational research. The paper introduces the articles that form the basis of this special issue of QROM, including a review of related studies that discuss the analysis of organizational visuals, as well as extant literature that develops a methodological agenda for visual organizational researchers. Design/methodology/approach -The Guest Editors' conceptual arguments are advanced through a literature review approach. Findings -The Guest Editors conclude that studying "the visual" holds great potential for qualitative organizational researchers and show how this field is fast developing around a number of interesting image-based issues in organizational life. Research limitations/implications -A future research agenda is articulated and the special issue that this paper introduces is intended to serve as a "showcase" and inspiration for qualitative researchers in organizations and management studies. Originality/value -This issue of QROM is the first collection of visual research articles addressing business and management research. The Guest Editors' introduction to it seeks to frame its contents in contemporary interdisciplinary debates drawn from the wider social sciences and the arts.

Diversity and professionalism in the Big Four firms: Expectation, celebration and weapon in the battle for talent

“…Stories strengthen feelings of commitment and well-being amongst employees. We also examined photographs used to represent images of diversity and success, as they demonstrate an expression of sentiment that could otherwise be uncomfortable (Davison, McLean, & Warren, 2012). Since photographs can be striking and ambiguous, this also makes their interpretation more subjective.…”

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: ten years on

“…As editors we have sought to both cherish and encourage that diversity. QROM has championed new and emerging approaches in the organization and management field, as well as critiquing wellrehearsed approaches, for example the special issues on visual methods (Davison, McLean and Warren, 2012) and case studies (Lee, Collier and Cullen, 2007). The journal has also contributed to discussions of important and neglected topics, for example the special issues on knowing, learning and acting in healthcare (Bosio, Graffigna and Scaratti, 2012) and dirty work (Grandy, Mavin and Simpson, 2014).…”

Examining Web Images: A Combined Visual Analysis (CVA) Approach

“…Management researchers are increasingly attending to visual analysis. There are excellent resources available for visual researchers (Margolis and Pauwels, ; Emmison et al ., ; Bell et al ., ) while special issues (Acevedo and Warren, ; Davison et al ., ) facilitate debate. Nevertheless, as Shortt and Warren (, p. 539) highlight, robust ‘analytical protocols’ are lacking.…”