The contribution of french pragmatic sociology to critical management studies

Abstract

French pragmatic sociology (PS), inspired by the work of Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot, is being increasingly used by organizational management studies. However, the critical dimension of this approach has not yet been integrated for the benefit of knowledge in management and organizations (MOK). In this article, we elaborate on the contribution that PS can represent for critical management studies (CMS). As a ‘science of the players’ science’ [science de la science des acteurs], we suggest that PS is fertile for the development of a critical performativity. In particular, we demonstrate that the approach allows shedding light on the new and more complex forms of domination exerted in contemporary organizations. Using empirical studies of organizations employing PS, we demonstrate how the concepts of compromise and test developed by this approach offer tools that allow renewing the critique of organizations for the benefit of MOK.