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?:abstract
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"In this article different perspectives on organisational change are analysed
using Hayden White’s genre categories: romance, comedy, tragedy and
satire. White maintains that a “story” is not determined by data, events or
the particular case, nor by the way events are remembered, collected or
told. Narrative structures preconfigure; they determine in advance what is
accepted as a story, and the meaning that will be created.
The empirical material for this article is mainly the literature on different
perspectives on organisational change e.g. Actor Network Theory (ANT),
Action Research (AR) and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR). In
addition, and to contrast in the discussion of genre classification, literature
from two different and well known perspectives from work and organisation
are used e.g. critical sociology and Swedish pragmatic professional
knowledge production.
The literature describing ANT is mostly of a satirical character, while the
literature describing this type of participative action research is more romantic.
BPR literature combines the satirical and the romantic genres. In
addition, possible ramifications of this point of view, i.e., which strategies
for change are seen or predominant within the different genres, and the
implications for action are considered. To succeed in organisational
change programmes I conclude that a switch between satiric and romantic
narratives is needed. Different perspectives belonging to different genres, predefining what
conclusions we are going to see, what actions are seen as possible, provide
a reflexive insight on how facts are produced. Being aware of these predefined
limitations within the genres gives academics the possibility to understand,
or even the freedom to choose, where to belong." (author's abstract)
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