Critical theory: 15 years later

Abstract

Purpose

The pupose of this paper is to explore the role of criticism in the growth of academic communities and their organizational transformations.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a comparison between the Frankfurter School of critical thought with contemporary critical management studies, possible routes for further development of the latter are explored.

Findings

The cognitive turn in behavioural sciences and the bureaucratic professionalization of knowledge‐intensive occupations are a serious threat to the possible development of critical management studies.

Practical implications

By focussing on implications of the Frankfurter School of social thought, critical management studies can establish itself as a more profound and fundamental form of research within social sciences.

Originality/value

The goal is to make the Frankfurter School a salonfähig discourse for managerial establishments.

Citation

Magala, S. (2006), "Critical theory: 15 years later", Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 183-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/17422040610682764