The later Foucault in organization and management studies
- 1 April 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Human Relations
- Vol. 61 (4) , 515-537
Abstract
This article reviews the use of the later Foucault in organization and management studies. Offering an evaluation of readings of the later writing, we comment on arguments for re-focusing on genealogical criticism, for an alternative Foucauldian politics of the workplace and a form of practical criticism sometimes derived from the later writing. A key aim is to attempt to open up new directions for critical inquiry drawing on other ways of reading Foucault. If genealogy is to be installed as a vital resource for critique, there appears to be a need for renewal. On the question of political alternatives, we comment on the ambiguities and silences — especially the historical silences — of the later Foucault's interpreters. A style of practical criticism inferred from readings of the later writing should not, we suggest, be accepted without qualification.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- IntroductionInternational Labor and Working-Class History, 2003
- The Long Detour: Foucault's History of Desire and PleasureOrganization, 2002
- Foucault and History in Organization StudiesOrganization, 2002
- Organization Theory in Turbulent Times: The Traces of Foucault's EthicsOrganization, 2002
- A Response to Wray-Bliss: Revisiting the ShopfloorOrganization, 2002
- Redirecting Critique in Postmodern Organization Studies: The Perspective of FoucaultOrganization Studies, 2000
- Governmentality, criticism, politicsEconomy and Society, 1997
- Writing in FriendshipOrganization, 1994
- Accounting expertise and the politics of the product: Economic citizenship and modes of corporate governanceAccounting, Organizations and Society, 1993
- Michel Foucault: A "Young Conservative"?Ethics, 1985