Deconstructing paradox theory
an analysis of a meta-theoretical perspective
eng: The terms paradigm and meta-theory are often used similarly or interchangeably. While paradigms contain the “worldview”, meta-theories are overarching perspectives within a paradigm. This master thesis divides both terms and focuses on...
mehr
|
eng: The terms paradigm and meta-theory are often used similarly or interchangeably. While paradigms contain the “worldview”, meta-theories are overarching perspectives within a paradigm. This master thesis divides both terms and focuses on meta-theory. The use and commitment to a meta-theory implies certain assumptions and points of interest to reduce complexity and enable the transfer to different contexts.
Paradox theory was chosen as an exemplary meta-theory and research object. I analyzed ten publications, that apply paradox theory, with a thematic analysis to deconstruct paradox theory. Deconstruction (influenced by Derrida’s and Luhmann’s interpretations) wants to highlight latent and salient assumptions to initialize renewed debate about them. The research process allowed to identify two prevalent assumptions in the publications. It illustrated the dominant, one-dimensional logic, that a favorable response to paradoxes leads to positive outcomes for organizations. While this assumption is already rather salient in paradox literature, the second notion, that management is primarily confronted with and reacts to paradoxes, is not found explicitly in paradox literature. In the researched publications, management is admitted a privileged role in dealing with tensions within organizations.
|
Deconstructing paradox theory
an analysis of a meta-theoretical perspective
eng: The terms paradigm and meta-theory are often used similarly or interchangeably. While paradigms contain the “worldview”, meta-theories are overarching perspectives within a paradigm. This master thesis divides both terms and focuses on...
mehr
|
eng: The terms paradigm and meta-theory are often used similarly or interchangeably. While paradigms contain the “worldview”, meta-theories are overarching perspectives within a paradigm. This master thesis divides both terms and focuses on meta-theory. The use and commitment to a meta-theory implies certain assumptions and points of interest to reduce complexity and enable the transfer to different contexts.
Paradox theory was chosen as an exemplary meta-theory and research object. I analyzed ten publications, that apply paradox theory, with a thematic analysis to deconstruct paradox theory. Deconstruction (influenced by Derrida’s and Luhmann’s interpretations) wants to highlight latent and salient assumptions to initialize renewed debate about them. The research process allowed to identify two prevalent assumptions in the publications. It illustrated the dominant, one-dimensional logic, that a favorable response to paradoxes leads to positive outcomes for organizations. While this assumption is already rather salient in paradox literature, the second notion, that management is primarily confronted with and reacts to paradoxes, is not found explicitly in paradox literature. In the researched publications, management is admitted a privileged role in dealing with tensions within organizations.
|
