Human Resorce
110588
brief_notes_on_modern_and_critical_theory_perspectives_1.pptRMIT University
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Multiple perspectives
Modernism
- Ontology: objectivism-there is an objective reality independent of our knowledge of it.
- Epistemology: positivism—truth is ‘discovered’ through conceptualisation/theorisation and ‘testing’ our logic against the reality found in the objective world.
Organisations are ‘real’ entities that lend themselves to our senses.
Different ways to write the term ‘modern perspective’
- Modern perspective / Modernism: both these terms refer to the modern perspective
- Modernist: A person adopting the ideas of modernism
Difference between ‘ism’ and ‘ist’:
‘ism’ – Words ending with ‘ism’ always deal with ideas.
‘ist’ – Words ending with ‘ist’ refers to an individual who adopts a specific set of ideas.
Truth is discovered through developing concepts and theories and testing them against the reality found in the world.
When we apply the above metatheoretical assumptions to the study of organizations, we can then say that from a modernist point of view:
Objectivist: Reality (for example an organization) exists independently of our knowledge of it..
Positivist: assumes that you can discover the truths, laws, properties of organizations through the categorization and scientific measurement of the behaviors and functions of organizational members and organizational systems.
Modernist Theories on organization tends to focus on:
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Predictability and Forecasting
Results
Control
Systems / Structures
Search for General Law (Universal)
Universal Application
Critical Theory
Metatheoretical:
- Ontology: there is an objective reality independent of our knowledge of it. It is driven by natural laws.
- Epistemology: subjectivist
‘Knowing’ the ‘truth’ is ‘tainted’ by dominant ideology and values of the those seeking ‘truth’.
‘Nature cannot be seen as it ‘really is’ or ‘really works’ except through a value window’ (Guba, 1990: 24).
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RMIT University
In Critical Theory:
Truth is tainted by dominant ideology (set of ideas) that are produced through:
- Traditions (Women must be submissive to men)
- Education (Scientific knowledge is more accurate than common sense)
- Politics (We are all Singaporeans)
- Religion (Heterosexuality is normal) and so on.
- Organization Theory (modernism for example)
Think about whose interests these truths serve? Therefore, critical theorists argue that we are already tainted by a value system as we go about seeking out these truths about the reality of our world.
Examples of how a critical theorist would talk about tainted truths produced by the modern perspective in management and organizations (You will learn some of these ideas in future lectures):
Truth A: Organization structures are rational systems designed to maximize control and profit.
Critical Theory response: Not entirely accurate. The truth that is hidden by modernists is that they can also be exploitative systems. E.g. The hierarchy in Foxconn is used as an instrument of control.
Truth B: Work is divided to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Critical Theory response: Once again, the truth that is hidden here is that division of labor deskills workers. Power is subsequently placed in the hands of management and not workers.
