Beyond the control‐resistance debate: A fresh look at experiences of work in the new economy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this short paper is to introduce the special issue and outline its major themes.

Design/methodology/approach

The control‐resistance literatures are described, and the necessity for field‐led empirical accounts is amplified, as a precursor to introducing the contributions to this special issue.

Findings

Forms of control co‐mingle and the old imprints the new. Theories of control, resistance, agency and consent can most usefully be expanded by engaging with empirical accounts, resisting duality, and embracing multidimensionality.

Originality/value

This paper offers a review of the state of debate about control and resistance within organisation studies, and calls for field‐informed accounts and fresh perspectives.

Citation

Bolton, S.C. and Houlihan, M. (2009), "Beyond the control‐resistance debate: A fresh look at experiences of work in the new economy", Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Vol. 6 No. 1/2, pp. 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/11766090910940629