Volume 15, Number 3 Article by Devi Akella September, 2003
Giving Voice to the Powerless: The Role of Critical Theory in India :
The 1990s saw the emergence of a new sub-discipline known as critical management studies (CMS). Prior to CMS, within the mainstream management and organisation studies, there were two dominant notions regarding the objectives and goals of the organisation and its managers. According to the ‘hard-nosed’ approach, the role of management was to ensure the survival and growth of the organisation and satisfy shareholders and customers by controlling the productive capacity of the workers. In contrast, the soft management approach sought to improve working conditions of employees to increase overall productivity and facilitate realisation of higher order needs, an approach closer to that of CMS.
In this article, Devi Akella discusses the concepts of CMS and relates them to organisations functioning in the Indian economy. CMS studies management not only as a technical function, but also as a socio-political phenomenon, which throws up issues like who is to occupy positions of authority and who is to derive the greatest benefit – owner, manager, producer or consumer. Research should consider not only means-ends relationships, but also the ends (workplace democracy, quality of work, gender equality, environmental protection, informed and independent consumption, etc) and the institutionalised conditions of management discourse and practice. Critical theory gives voice to all social groups whose lives are influenced and affected by the policies and ideologies of the management. The technocratic and paternalistic management style largely practised in India, the author believes, may not be appropriate to deal with the problems existing in organisations in a multi-cultural, multi-industry and multi-sector society with a developing economy. The roots of Indian culture are ‘idealistic and spiritual’, despite high levels of corruption as the country transits from a traditional, rural society to a dynamic, modern, urban economy. Critical theory with its tools of deconstruction and emancipation could help assess new situations, complex and intricate power networks and environmental changes, and develop appropriate management practices. CMS holds out several benefits to a diverse developing economy, including the emancipation of women, improved conditions for workers and protection of the environment.
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