Modernism, Post Modernism and Organizational Analysis 2: The Contribution of Michel Foucault

Abstract

This paper, the second in a series on the relevance of the modernist-postmodernist debate to organizational analysis, looks at the work of the late Michel Foucault. Whilst his work is seen as producing a whole series of problems for those brought up in an Anglo-American tradition of intellectual endeavour, it is maintained that his work is suggestive of alternative ways of approaching problems and ordering material. A three fold periodization of his work is suggested beginning with the 'archeaological' period, then attention is paid to the 'genealogical' period and finally, though less fixed and discernible, his concern for ethics is noted. Ideas and concepts drawn from all but the very last of his writings are then utilized in ways which might allow for a significant reordering in the theory of organizations, particularly in the debate concerning organizational heterogeneity versus homogeneity, the importance of 'total institutions', organizational control of sexuality and the role of new technologies in organizational control systems.

Entrapped by the ‘electronic panopticon’? Worker resistance in the call centre

“…For example, 'the disciplined member of the corporation wants on his or her own what the corporation wants' (Deetz, 1992). Worker resistance poses no threat to managerial power since 'it means that discipline can grow stronger knowing where its next efforts must be directed' (Burrell, 1988). As Thompson and Ackroyd (1995: 625) argue, If we take all these factors into account, it is hardly surprising that, fragmented, insubstantial and counter-productive, resistance simply disappears from view.…”

The Lacanian School as an Organizational Structure

“…Reference 'Burrell (1988)' is given in the list but not cited in the text. Please cite this in text or delete this from the list.…”

Michel Foucault and the Administering of Lives

“…In the early years of the reception of Foucault in organization studies, much emphasis was placed on Foucault's relevance for the study of mechanisms of surveillance and discipline in the post-Fordist organization: the rise of computer-based monitoring, the use of closed-circuit television cameras, and the just-in-time labour process (see in particular Sewell & Wilkinson, 1992; but see also Burrell, 1988;andTownley 1993, 1994), as well as the effects of management knowledge on the constitution of the employee (Jacques, 1996). Barbara Townley, a colleague of Gibson Burrell at Warwick, before moving to the University of Alberta in the early 1990s (see Carter, 2008: 19), applied Foucault's work very fruitfully to the study of human resource management (HRM) (Townley, 1993(Townley, , 1994).…”