Critical-Cultural Research: New Sensibilities and Old Realities

Abstract

Critical perspectives on cultural research in organizations have received much attention recently. Future directions for this work are explored here through a review of central concepts and research. Continuation, but with greater theoretical focus, is expected for studies of language, metaphor, stories, and myths, which investigate the creation and maintenance of domination through systematically distorted communication. New work with participative research procedures holds promise of providing greater organizational change. Generally, future research will be more empirical, focus more on structures and material conditions, and be more closely related to the lives of people in host organizations.