Feminist Theory and Critical Organizational Studies
Summary
Feminist theory and critical organizational studies intersect at the examination of how gendered power relations shape organisational life and the ways in which organisations can reproduce or challenge systemic inequalities. Drawing on multiple strands of feminist thought—from liberal and radical feminism to poststructural and intersectional approaches—this field interrogates the assumptions underlying managerial practices, workplace hierarchies and organisational cultures. It emphasises the construction of gendered norms, the invisibility of care work and the marginalisation of diverse voices. By employing critical lenses, scholars reveal how organisational processes are infused with power differentials related to gender, race, class and other axes of identity, and they propose alternative imaginaries for organising that centre ethical agency, embodied experience and collective solidarity. Practical applications range from rethinking diversity and inclusion initiatives to designing more participatory and caring work environments. The global significance of this scholarship lies in its capacity to inform policy, transform leadership practices and empower marginalised groups to enact systemic change within and beyond organisational boundaries.
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Feminist Theory and Critical Organizational Studies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in feminist theory and critical organizational studies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Intersectionality: A framework for understanding how multiple social identities (such as gender, race and class) intersect to produce unique experiences of oppression and privilege.
Embodied Agonism: A concept describing how bodily practices of contest and conflict can serve as resources for generating collective solidarity and agency.
Vertical Temporality: A feminist critique of linear, clock-driven time that advocates for writing and organisational practices attentive to depth, urgency and layered experiences.
Ethical Agency: The capacity of individuals and groups to act in ways that foreground care, responsibility and moral concern for others within organisational contexts.
Feminist Ethics of Care: An approach that prioritises relational interdependence, vulnerability and care work as central dimensions of ethical practice in organisations.
References
- Temporality lost: A feminist invitation to vertical writing that shakes the ground. Organization (2020).
- Feminist solidarity building as embodied agonism: An ethnographic account of a protest movement. Gender Work and Organization (2021).
- Constructing a ‘Different’ Strength: A Feminist Exploration of Vulnerability, Ethical Agency and Care. Journal of Business Ethics (2022).
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