Philosophies of Organizational Research (session 350)

Much of organizational research often relies on a variety of philosophical assumptions that are rarely articulated. In this session, we attempt to bring these issues to the forefront of the discussion on research methodology. The presenters will attempt to enrich and challenge contemporary organizational theory, and illuminate the philosophical underpinnings of organizational research in general, and their own research in particular. In this workshop, we will hew close to the theme of the 2020 meeting, but do so critically. In capitalist society, firms are the hegemonic means of producing, appropriating, and distributing social labor. We will examine the way in which philosophical introspection can help organizations become more egalitarian, and broader in insight. We will also pay special attention to the manner in which the philosophical approaches under discussion inform and are informed by praxis. The session is conceptualized as being highly interactive and will involve substantial audience participation, rather than a symposium format.