The critical philosophy: ‘changing realities’

Aaron C.T. Smith, James Skinner and Daniel Read

Chapter 11 in Philosophies of Organizational Change, 2026, pp 261-282 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Chapter 11 considers the critical philosophy, incorporating a collection of political and postmodern theories of change. The critical philosophy of organizational change consistently challenges conventional ways of thinking, from ideas about power and politics to constructions of social reality. The chapter notes that the critical philosophy provides an umbrella to encompass those change theories seeking to challenge, contradict and confront. It first presents the sociological work of Marx and Hegel, whose political theory views change as the clash of ideologies or belief systems. Conflict means that change revolves around activities such as bargaining, consciousness-raising, persuasion, influence, power and social movements. The chapter also introduces postmodern theories that challenge singular or grand theories about organizational change, taking instead a socially constructed view of reality. Postmodernism juxtaposes the old and new, engaged through change tactics emphasizing diffusion, empowerment, flexibility, trust and market responsiveness. The chapter suggests that theories under the critical philosophy share an interest in the nature and application of power and discourse. It further describes how surveillance, resistance and sense making shape organizational change in hybrid and digital environments. The chapter emphasizes that change is not just technical but deeply political, shaped by language, ideology and everyday actions.

Keywords: Critical; Sociological; Discourse; Postmodern; Power; Resistance; Surveillance; Sense Making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035372164
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