Chapter 6 Critical Approaches

Question 1

Frames of reference dominate each organizational paradigm; Unitary

Answer 1

Emphasis on common goals.

• Conflict is destructive and non-productive
• Classical, human relations, human resources

Question 2

Frames of reference dominate each organizational paradigm; Pluralist

Answer 2

Emphasis on divergent groups.

• Conflict is normal
• System, cultural

Question 3

Frames of reference dominate each organizational paradigm; Radical

Answer 3

Emphasis on struggle between opposing forces for incompatible goals

Question 4

Purpose of organizational research -

Classical, human relations, and human resources:

Answer 4

increased organizational efficiency

Question 5

Purpose of organizational research -

Systems and cultural:

Answer 5

Understand and/or explain organizational dynamics

Question 6

Purpose of organizational research -

Radical (critical):

Answer 6

Active role in changing organizational dynamics caused by inequalities in power

Question 7

Roots in work of Karl Marx: repression of workers by those that control modes and means of production

Answer 7

Modes: economic conditions that underlie production processes (capitalism)
Means: actual work processes: dehumanization, alienation

Question 8

All critical theorists agree:

Answer 8

Societal forces and structures create imbalance of power
Imbalance of power lead to oppression
Explore and reveal imbalances to free the oppressed

Question 9

Key element of critical theory is power - Traditional:

Answer 9

Resources, status

Question 10

Key element of critical theory is power - Symbological (interpretive):

Answer 10

Control of communication, symbols, relationships

Question 11

Key element of critical theory is power -

Radical-critical:

Answer 11

“deep structures” (which conflict with surface structures) produce and maintain organizational power relationships through economic, social and communicative processes

Question 12

Deep Structure

Answer 12

Unquestioned (and unquestionable) beliefs, values and assumptions of “how things really are” upon which the taken for granted surface structure rests
Happens below our awareness

Question 13

Control of discourse:

Answer 13

Organizational reality is socially created through discourse.

Becomes the “site of domination”: control of discourse is control of power
Words: “real job,” “accident”
Narratives: “bottom line” thinking, heroes

Question 14

Ideology is shaped by processes of control

Answer 14

“Taken for granted assumptions” that influence organizational “reality”
-What exists? What is good, possible?

Leads to “hegemony”: process in which dominant groups get subservient groups to accept the power imbalances as “normal”
-Workers become complicit in their own domination

Question 15

Emancipation

Answer 15

freedom from the ideologies, identity issues, assumptions, power relations, etc.

Question 16

Role of the critical theorist

Answer 16

is to reveal the “reality” to the oppressed so they can free themselves from the oppression
-Discussion of control and power; ability of all to participate in decisions

Question 17

Theory of Concertive Control:

Answer 17

new power relationships emerging from team-based organizations.

Question 18

Three concepts of “Theory of Concertive Control”:

Answer 18

Control: new form: rules and norms created by teams
Not bureaucratic-created rules and hierarchical structures

Identification: group affiliation (who do we define ourselves as?). These affect “norms”

Discipline: how groups act to maintain conformity (not management)

Question 19

Ideology of management -

Answer 19

Is upheld through the everyday practices of members.

Question 20

Feminist theories:

Answer 20

Gender issues permeate organizational life

Question 21

Feminist theories- Organizations are inherently patriarchal:

Answer 21

• Logic, aggression, and competitiveness are male characteristics
• Cooperation, emotion, sympathy, intuition, etc. are downplayed or seen as weak

Question 22

Feminist theories - Suggest that even organizational theorists tend to be male-biased

Answer 22

Therefore, females are marginalized

Question 23

Approaches to feminist studies - Liberal feminism:

Answer 23

Work within the systems to gain equality.

Question 24

Approaches to feminist studies - Radical feminism:

Answer 24

Freedom requires destruction of the male-oriented systems

Question 25

Approaches to feminist studies - Standpoint feminists:

Answer 25

Those at the margins have a more accurate view of reality

Question 26

Approaches to feminist studies -

Postmodern feminists:

Answer 26

Deconstruct male-dominated meaning systems