Elgar Introduction to Organizational Paradox Theory

Marco Berti, Nova SBE, Lisbon, Portugal, Ace Simpson, Visiting Professor of Management, O'Malley School of Business, Manhattan University, USA, Miguel Pina e Cunha, Fundação Amélia de Mello Professor of Leadership, Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal and Stewart R. Clegg, School of Project Management, The University of Sydney, Australia

'In an era in which paradox theory, research, and practice has grown exponentially, this book is a landmark contribution to the work on organizational tensions. As a highly accessible guide to the paradox terrain, it offers a number of unique features: 1) a broad historical picture of the evolution of paradox theory, 2) a succinct and insightful discussion of both the positive and negative sides of paradox, 3) a vivid expose on paradox complexity, 4) an exploration of the role of power in exercising and responding to paradox, and 5) recommendations for extending the vitality of this theory as well as avoiding practices that might reify it. The clarity of its presentation, sophistication of its ideas, and use of rich vignettes make it a “must read” for practitioners as well as academics interested in how contradictions and tensions pervade organizational experiences.'

• Contents: Introduction 1. What is paradox? Tensions, contradictions and oppositions in organization studies 2. How to deal with paradoxes: the role of responses in the construction of paradoxical tension 3. The bright side: paradoxes and positive organizational scholarship 4. The dark side: absurdity and pragmatic paradoxes 5. Nested, multiple and multidimensional paradoxes 6. Paradoxes of power, control and empowerment 7. The sociological futures of paradox: incorporating grand challenges References