Postmodernism and Organizations

Martin Parker is a Professor of Culture and Organization at the School of Management, Leicester University

`I very much liked Dr Michael Reed′s chapter on continuities and discontinuities, as well as Professor Paul Thompson on postmodernism as a `fatal distraction′, and Professor Gibson Burrell on the university in postmodern times′ - Journal of General Management`Most of the papers are written with an unusual degree of wit and good humour which gives the collection an aura of seriousness tempered by a feeling that, collectively, the authors do not take themselves - or postmodernism - too seriously. The result is a refreshing and considered commentary on the main subject matter.... The first section of the book comprising contributions from those in the main well-disposed to the postmodernist enterprise is generally interesting and accessible.... The ... paper by Gibson Burrell - ′Eco and the Bunnymen′ - deserves special mention... because it is hysterically funny. Humour apart, Burrell offers a brief but penetrating analysis of the implications of postmodernist thought for an understanding of the search for universal ′truths′ as mediated by the university and the academic ′community′ more generally.... can be warmly recommended for academics′ bookshelves and as a useful text for students on specialist courses in organisational studies.... the postmodernist′s delight.′ - Work, Employment and Society`It carries with it the singular benefit of an enormously clear and accessible representation of the meaning of post-modernism (by Hassard), and an equally clear and convincing account of why post-modern theory is less compelling than post-modernists suppose (by Parker). As an edited collection, it is one of the most intelligible accounts of what a postmodern perspective on organisations might require′ - Health and Social Care

• Introduction - Martin Parker and John HassardPostmodernism and Organizational Analysis - John HassardAn OverviewPART ONE: TOWARDS POSTMODERNISMFrom Interpretation to Representation - Paul JeffcuttDeconstruction in the Study of Organizations - Steve LinsteadEco and the Bunnymen - Gibson BurrellPART TWO: DEBATES WITH POSTMODERNISMModernism, Postmodernism and Motivation, Or Why Expectancy Theory Failed to Come Up to Expectation - Pippa Carter and Norman JacksonWhat Can Organization and Management Theory Learn from Art? - Dag Bj[um]orkegrenThe Play of Metaphors - Mats AlvessonOrganizational Discourse and the Gendering of Identity - Albert J MillsOrganizations, Multiple Oppressions and Postmodernism - Jeff Hearn and Wendy ParkinPART THREE: DEPARTURES FROM POSTMODERNISMOrganizations and Modernity - Michael I ReedContinuity and Discontinuity in Organization TheoryPostmodernism - f002 Paul ThompsonFatal DistractionLife After Jean-Fran[ce]cois - Martin Parker