Critical Management and Organizational History

Abstract

A critical orientation towards management and organizational history has at least three aspects: first, a historical critique of mainstream management and organizational research and teaching; second, a critical view of mainstream business history and management history; and finally, an assessment and critique of the treatment of history in critical management studies (CMS). This article argues that a critical and historical approach to management and organizations would entail a reorientation, or an ‘historic turn’. It discusses the three aspects of a critical historical orientation to management and organizations, outlines what a historic turn would entail, and assesses the extent to which it can be said to be underway.