Impactful Resistance: The Persistence of Recognition Politics in the Workplace. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Courpasson, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of management inquiry. Volume 25:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: resistance -- power -- work -- hunger strikes -- collective emotions; Management -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; 658.005
• DOI: 10.1177/1056492615600354
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1056-4926

Abstract

Contrary to an ontology of defeatism that permeates scholarship on resistance, this paper suggests a perspective through which resistance can lead to hope and the unlikely victory of the powerless against the powerful. We offer an example where resisters develop specific activities that substantially modify a power relationship, thus showing the persistence of a recognition modality of impactful resistance on today's workplaces. The paper engages with recent accounts of post-recognition politics that largely deny the willingness of workers to struggle about issues related to work.