Abstract
Language | English |
---|---|
Pages | 1363-1381 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Organization Studies |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2012 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- critical realism
- discourse analysis
- financialization
Cite this
}
Beneath the radar : a critical realist analysis of ‘the knowledge economy’ and ‘shareholder value’ as competing discourses. / Thompson, Paul; Harley, B.
In: Organization Studies, Vol. 33, No. 10, 10.2012, p. 1363-1381.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Beneath the radar
T2 - Organization Studies
AU - Thompson, Paul
AU - Harley, B.
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - This paper seeks to apply a critical realist lens to the analysis of discourse. Our central argument is that the most fruitful way to make sense of discourse is to treat it as an empirical object of inquiry alongside extra-discursive phenomena. In making this argument, we consider two recent discourses, the ‘knowledge-based economy’ (KBE) and ‘shareholder value’ (SV) and demonstrate that while the KBE discourse gained much more attention, SV discourse had much more significant material outcomes. We suggest that research on the potential causal powers of discourse should move away from an exclusive focus on the discursive and pay attention to actors and institutions and to extra-discursive conditions and constraints.
AB - This paper seeks to apply a critical realist lens to the analysis of discourse. Our central argument is that the most fruitful way to make sense of discourse is to treat it as an empirical object of inquiry alongside extra-discursive phenomena. In making this argument, we consider two recent discourses, the ‘knowledge-based economy’ (KBE) and ‘shareholder value’ (SV) and demonstrate that while the KBE discourse gained much more attention, SV discourse had much more significant material outcomes. We suggest that research on the potential causal powers of discourse should move away from an exclusive focus on the discursive and pay attention to actors and institutions and to extra-discursive conditions and constraints.
KW - critical realism
KW - discourse analysis
KW - financialization
U2 - 10.1177/0170840612457614
DO - 10.1177/0170840612457614
M3 - Article
VL - 33
SP - 1363
EP - 1381
JO - Organization Studies
JF - Organization Studies
SN - 0170-8406
IS - 10
ER -