|
Volume 2 Issue 1 July 2003
Discourse analysis
and complex adaptive systems: Managing variables with attitude/s
Charl Walters & Roy Williams, w.w
associates, Reading, U.K.,
Charl.w.w@ntlworld.com,
Roy.w.w@ntlworld.com |
 |
|
There have been
long-standing debates about the relative values of quantitative vs. qualitative
research, and of positivism vs. critical theory in management studies. In this
paper we discuss the value of discourse theory and the tools of discourse
analysis in the context of complex adaptive systems theory, which can usefully
be seen as a synthesis of the thesis of modernism and the antithesis of
post-modernism. Discourse’ has been developed and used in several disciplines,
to interesting effect. It is now time to systematise the notion of discourse,
and the tools of discourse analysis, both theoretically and practically, so that
they can better be applied to management research, and to management practice.
Keywords: Discourse,
modernism, post-modernism, complex adaptive systems, communities of practice
Download FULL
PAPER
Return
to Contents |
