The philosophy of management ideas

O'Mahoney, Joe ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4040-3894 2019. The philosophy of management ideas. Sturdy, Andrew, Heusinkveld, Stefan, Reay, Trish and Strang, David, eds. Oxford Handbook of Management Ideas, Oxford University Press, 68–85. (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198794219.013.9) Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The philosophies which underpin studies of management ideas are rarely interrogated, which, it is argued here, leads to several difficulties for research in this field. This chapter makes explicit four philosophies which commonly underpin work in this field, and argues that, among other limitations, their ontological strictures make interdisciplinary communication difficult. The chapter introduces a critical realism, arguing that its stratified, emergent and realist ontology can (partially) integrate the strengths from these philosophies, whilst ameliorating their respective weaknesses. Finally, the chapter sketches out a critical realist conception of management ideas.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISBN:	9780198794219
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 October 2026
Last Modified:	01 Oct 2026 14:37
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/107622

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