PERSPECTIVE—Pragmatism in Organization Studies: Meeting the Challenges of a Dynamic and Complex World

Farjoun, Moshe; Ansell, Christopher; Boin, Arjen

doi:10.1287/orsc.2015.1016

Cited by 122 publications

(147 citation statements)

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“…Interest in pluralism has come even more to the fore with the current popularity of institutional logics (Greenwood, Raynard, Kodeih, Micelotta, & Lounsbury, 2011;Lounsbury & Boxenbaum, 2013), an approach that has clear connections with the EW framework (Cloutier & Langley, 2013;Friedland, 2009). And finally, American pragmatism is currently being rediscovered by organizational scholars on the basis that if offers insights that can potentially solve some of organizational theory's most important issues (Farjoun, Ansell, & Boin, 2015;Ferraro, Etzion, & Gehman, 2015).…”

Section: Intellectual Origins Of the Economies Of Worthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Justification, Evaluation and Critique in the Study of Organizations: An Introduction to the Volume

Cloutier¹,

Gond²,

Léca³

2017

Research in the Sociology of Organizations

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This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link and evaluation in organizations by reconsidering the notion of worth, and finally 4) push the boundaries of the framework itself by questioning and fine tuning some of its core assumptions. Taken as a whole, this volume not only carves a path for a deeper embedding of the EW approach into contemporary thinking about organizations, it also invites readers to refine and expand it by confronting it with a wider range of diverse empirical contexts of interest to organizational scholars.Keywords: economies of worth; justification; critique; evaluation; French Pragmatist Sociology.3 Despite early acknowledgement of the relevance of the EW framework for studying organizations (Denis, Langley, & Rouleau, 2007;Livian & Herreros, 1994), and a recognition that it provides "a highly original perspective stressing the importance of processes of critique and justification for the production of organizational order and change" (Jagd, 2011, p. 344 (Patriotta, Gond, & Schultz, 2011;Ramirez, 2013;Taupin, 2012). JUSTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND CRITIQUE IN THE STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUMEWhile demonstrating the "generative" potential of the EW framework by combining it with other theories is both interesting and useful, there are many missed opportunities in failing to embrace the EW framework as a theory that is worthy for its own sake, one that can be particularly helpful, for example, for uncovering some of the normative contradictions that underlie institutional life by investigating how individual actors engage with a plurality of moral orders.Some of this potential can be seen in studies that have mobilized the EW framework to address topics such as intra-organizational dynamics of justification (Jagd, 2011), the strategic management of pluralistic organizations (Daigle & Rouleau, 2010;Denis et al., 2007) decision-making in public management contexts (Dodier & Camus, 1998 It is in light of the above observations and the opportunities they gave rise to that we settled on the following four objectives for the volume: (1) clarify how individuals manage the contradictions and compromises inherent in organizational pluralism by considering the daily moral life of actors inhabiting institutions; (2) look at organizations critically by unpacking the rhetorical foundations of critiques, and pragmatically examining the roles of rhetoric and justification in the critical operations that organizational actors engage in; (3) reconsider the notion of worth beyond its purely economic sense and consider the multiple facets that constitute and produce value in organizational life and (4) push the boundaries of the EW framework itself and by so doing, help further embed notions such as justification, critique and valuation in our contemporary analysis and understanding of organizations.Collectively, the set of contributions proposed in this volume address these four key objec...

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Section: Intellectual Origins Of the Economies Of Worthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Justification, Evaluation and Critique in the Study of Organizations: An Introduction to the Volume

Cloutier¹,

Gond²,

Léca³

2017

Research in the Sociology of Organizations

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Martela argues that pragmatism can add "ethicality and practical relevance into organizational research" (p. 538) which supports a utility-based bargaining perspective where pragmatism might explain the bargaining space between competing political actors (Bapat & Kwon, 2015;Lake, 2010;Walter, 2009). Farjoun, Ansell, and Boin (2015) draw upon organizational research to explore pragmatism as "the problem-solving philosophy that builds on a rich and behaviorally plausible model of human nature" (Farjoun, Ansell, & Boin, 2015, p. 1787. Interestingly, they also use pragmatism to challenge both rational and structural models in favor of "a richer and more realistic view of human behavior" to account for the individualistic, social, and complex nature of individuals (p. 1788).…”

Section: Pragmatic Ethicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Bathsheba: Managing Ethical Climates Through Pragmatic Ethics

Long¹

2017

JVBL

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This paper explores the puzzling nature of leader behavior in order to understand the conditions that encourage unethical decision-making. Building on the extant literature of pragmatic ethics, I explore how leaders can increase the quality of ethical decision-making within their organizations by understanding the incentives of rational choice. I have developed a rational choice-based ethical decision-making model to understand the incentives behind ethical leader behavior and find that ethical behavior is likely to be rational as long as audience costs remain higher than the savings benefits incurred by unethical behavior. I conclude with analysis of how the ethical rational model compares to other prominent theories that explain unethical leader behavior and propose that the probable outcomes derived from my model better explain bad leader behavior than competing control-oriented models. The results of this inquiry underscore the transactional and practical characteristics of leadership as a tool to help leaders manage their ethical climates, improve business practices and management policies, understand the nature of individual incentives, and capture transactional components of leader behavior.

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“…Farjoun, Ansell, and Boin (2015) draw upon organizational research to explore pragmatism as "the problem-solving philosophy that builds on a rich and behaviorally plausible model of human nature" (Farjoun, Ansell, & Boin, 2015, p. 1787. Interestingly, they also use pragmatism to challenge both rational and structural models in favor of "a richer and more realistic view of human behavior" to account for the individualistic, social, and complex nature of individuals (p. 1788).…”

Section: Pragmatic Ethicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2017

JVBL

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As we turn our focus to becoming a socially responsible university, the Valpo MBA program is now offering a Certificate in Sustainability. After completing a bachelor's degree, or while enrolled in a Valpo master's program, a student may choose to take four additional courses -twelve (12) additional credits -and receive the graduate Certificate in Sustainability. The four additional courses include:• MBA 702 Managing Sustainability -3 credits • MBA 703 Forces Affecting Sustainability -3 credits • MBA 704 Case Studies in Sustainability -3 credits • MBA 705 Fieldwork in Sustainability -3 credits WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?Sustainability is a vital answer to existence on this planet, but also to the existence of our economy. As we look for better answers to energy issues, the end of landfills, and clean air and water for future generations, we need the business model of efficiency and return on investment to be sure we are taking the best paths to improve the future. JOURNAL OF VALUES-BASED LEADERSHIP* JVBL Mission StatementThe mission of the JVBL is to promote ethical and moral leadership and behavior by serving as a forum for ideas and the sharing of "best practices." It serves as a resource for business and institutional leaders, educators, and students concerned about valuesbased leadership. The JVBL defines values-based leadership to include topics involving ethics in leadership, moral considerations in business decision-making, stewardship of our natural environment, and spirituality as a source of motivation. The JVBL strives to publish articles that are intellectually rigorous yet of practical use to leaders, teachers, and entrepreneurs. In this way, the JVBL serves as a high quality, international journal focused on converging the practical, theoretical, and applicable ideas and experiences of scholars and practitioners. The JVBL provides leaders with a tool of ongoing self-critique and development, teachers with a resource of pedagogical support in instructing valuesbased leadership to their students, and entrepreneurs with examples of conscientious decision-making to be emulated within their own business environs. Submission Guidelines for the JVBLThe JVBL invites you to submit manuscripts for review and possible publication. The JVBL is dedicated to supporting people who seek to create more ethically-and sociallyresponsive organizations through leadership and education. The Journal publishes articles that provide knowledge that is intellectually well-developed and useful in practice. The JVBL is a peer-reviewed journal available in both electronic and print fora (fully digital with print-on-demand options). The readership includes business leaders, government representatives, academics, and students interested in the study and analysis of critical issues affecting the practice of values-based leadership. The JVBL is dedicated to publishing articles related to:1. Leading with integrity, credibility, and morality; 2. Creating ethical, values-based organizations; 3. Balancing the concerns of stakeholders, co...

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PERSPECTIVE—Pragmatism in Organization Studies: Meeting the Challenges of a Dynamic and Complex World

Cited by 122 publications

References 106 publications

Justification, Evaluation and Critique in the Study of Organizations: An Introduction to the Volume

Justification, Evaluation and Critique in the Study of Organizations: An Introduction to the Volume

Beyond Bathsheba: Managing Ethical Climates Through Pragmatic Ethics

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