Doing Critical Management Research
- Mats Alvesson - Lund University, Sweden
- Stanley Deetz - University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
Providing a detailed discussion of the practice of doing critical research in organizations, utilizing both qualitative research processes and critical theories of organizations, this textbook will be essential for all those involved in interpreting and researching contemporary institutions and organizations. This volume gives an authoritative and insightful framework for navigating critical theories and methods across the social sciences, but in particular in relation to the study of corporate organizations.
`Alvesson and Deetz rehearse the arguments against neo-positivism and quantitative research very effectively… also make the important distinction between qualitative work in general and critical qualitative work in particular. The arguments here feel fresh and engaged, helped along by numerous illustrations and examples from particular research studies. …a welcome antidote to the majority of methodology books, especially in a climate where research - especially at doctoral level- is increasingly prone to standardization. The value of the book in this regard cannot be overestimated, because it draws together insights and arguments. …expect it to be widely read and cited, and to remain the standard text on critical management research practice for a good many years to come. This is an excellent text which combines a very impressive coverage of the literature while showing great care and thought in exposition ' - Management Learning
This book is at quite a high level and will be difficult for some of my doctoral candidates, particularly those from overseas. I can foresee it being most useful to academics who are undertaking doctoral study. Practitioners tend to prefer more straightforward 'how to' texts.
