Theories of Performativity and the Performativity of Theories

Abstract

Management theorization has taken many twists and turns encompassing logico-scientific, appreciative theorization, practice, sensemaking, and narrative, to name a few. Now, there is utility in exploring the benefits and limits of taking a performative turn, especially because many of phenomena are about issues that will happen in the future, either because of, or despite our theorization. Efforts to constitute what may happen in the future are readily evident in theorization associated with innovation and entrepreneurship. It is also evident in the proactive steps that organizations are taking to deal with global warming problems, which we believe is the next set of issues that managers will confront. This symposium, if accepted, will serve as a way to start a dialogue across members of the academy on the implications of taking a performative turn. The Performativity of Business Models as Valuation Devices Presenter: Liliana Doganova; Copenhagen Business School Performativity of Theories that Inform Management Practices Presenter: Raghu Garud; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Joel Gehman; U. of Alberta Presenter: Paula Ungureanu; Northwestern U. The Hidden-shop Effect: Technology and Institutional Change in the Responsible Investing Field Presenter: Daniel Beunza; London School of Economics Presenter: Fabrizio Ferraro; IESE Business School