Legitimizing the social enterprise: development of a conformance framework based on a genealogical pragmatic analysis

Abstract

Calls for an historic turn in management and organizational studies (MOS) have opened the door for the use of unique and innovative historical methods. While significant progress has been made, we propose the genealogical pragmatic method of analysis provides a path for continued theoretical development and methodological rigor in MOS. Relying on a genealogical pragmatic method allows researchers to problematize and reconceptualize important theoretical concepts critical for theory building. In this article, we apply genealogical pragmatic method to the historical case of Mound Bayou, an all African-American venture in Mississippi, to problematize and reconstruct present conceptualizations of conformance activities for gaining legitimacy as a social enterprise.