Critical performativity and the small firm: Challenges and prospects. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards, Paul
• Other Names: Trehan Kiran guest-editor.; Higgins David guest-editor.; Jones Ossie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: International small business journal. Volume 36:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: critical social science -- engaged scholarship -- family firm -- modernising firm -- performativity; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.64205
• DOI: 10.1177/0266242617747953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-2426

Abstract

The idea of engaging directly with management practice while retaining a strongly critical social science stance has become popular under the banner of critical performativity. This idea has yet to be applied to small firms, and it also needs specification: as usually stated, it lacks grounds within science to define with whom to engage and with what goals. In total, three themes are addressed: the nature of a 'radical pluralist' view of engagement, the distinct challenges in a small firm context and a set of three illustrations of possible lines of engagement. Engagement is both desirable and feasible, though large challenges remain, notably the demands of small-firm owners and the requirements of close engagement over a period of time.