For a symmetrical understanding of organizing and arguing

Abstract

Purpose

Braiding organization theory and argumentation theory, the paper seeks to unfold how organizations act as social loci for the production, diffusion and development of arguments.

Design/methodology/approach

A Swedish association dedicated to the defense and promotion of nuclear power, Miljövänner För Kärnkraft (approximately Environmentalists for Nuclear Power) serves as a case study, describing the association's argumentative activity with a particular focus on its argument that “nuclear power is environment friendly as it produces no greenhouse gas emissions”.

Findings

The manner in which the association contextualizes this key argument illustrates the inter‐relationships that exist between organizing and arguing.

Originality/value

Organizing and arguing belong to each other's conditions of possibility, and it is therefore argued that an understanding of the organized character of argumentation is symmetrical to the argumentative character of organizing.

Citation

Corvellec, H. (2006), "For a symmetrical understanding of organizing and arguing", Society and Business Review, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 248-265. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465680610706328