Epistemology of Management

Teacher(s)

de Nanteuil Matthieu;

Language

English

Prerequisites

None

Main themes

This course should allow the students to access to a critical theory of knowledge applied to management and, in a wider sense, to all disciplines that belong to management studies. Such a goal is at the same time theoretical and practical: firstly, it should help students understand how a "management science" has been progressively invented, what are the challenges and limitations of such a project; secondly, it will introduce the participants to the main debates in the epistemological field, mixing fundamental and applied epistemologies; thirdly, it will give them reflexive roots to fulfill their research in management studies.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Having regard to the LO of the programme X, this activity contributes to the development and acquisition of the following LO: Corporate citizenship Knowledge and reasoning A scientific and systematic approach At the end of this course, the student will be able to access to a critical theory of knowledge applied to management and, in a wider sense, to all disciplines that belong to management studies. Such a critical theory will require a high level of competence, so that the students may understand how a management science has been invented, what are the challenges and limits of such a project; identify the epistemological frames which support the practice of management in contemporary organizations; give them the reflexive and critical roots to fulfill their PhD. thesis in management studies.

Content

General perspective
A course in Epistemology of Management should allow the students to access to a critical theory of knowledge applied to management and, in a wider sense, to all disciplines that belong to management studies.
Such a goal is at the same time theoretical and practical: firstly, it should help the students in understanding how a “management science” has been progressively invented, what are the challenges and limitations of such a project; secondly, it will introduce the participants to the main debates in the epistemological field, mixing fundamental and applied epistemologies; thirdly, it will give them reflexive roots to fulfill their PhD. thesis in management studies.
After an introductory session devoted to the foundations of epistemology and the emergence of management as a ‘science’, the course will explore the main branches of fundamental epistemology:

• positivism and neo-positivism (from Comte to Popper);
• systemic analysis, structuralism and post-structuralism (Luhmann, Bourdieu and Foucault);
• phenomenology, hermeneutics and conventionalism (Weber, Merleau-Ponty, Schütz, Goffman, Burrel and Morgan);
• critical theory, critical realism and pragmatism (Habermas, Bhaskar, Dewey).

The course will then be devoted to the presentation of current work in epistemology applied to management. Drawing on the Critical Management Studies (CMS) movement and taking into account the fact that contemporary organisations are now evolving in the era of the Anthropocene, it will conclude with a discussion of the notion of ‘critique’ as applied to management.

Teaching methods

Teaching Methods - This course will be an opportunity to initiate a genuine dialog between the teacher and students. It will mix theoretical sessions (by the teacher) and presentations of scientific articles (by the students), thus stimulating collective discussions on main challenges in epistemology applied to management.

Evaluation methods

Students’ assignments and Information regarding AI
Students will be required to complete the following assignments, knowing that all assignments are carried out in groups: 
 1. Oral presentation in Fundamental Epistemology. This presentation will include:

• A detailed presentation of the text;
• An analysis of its contribution on two levels:

• to the epistemological branch to which this text belongs,
• and to the situation of organisations, particularly in the era of the Anthropocene.

Duration – 20 to 30 mn max.
 2. Oral presentation in Applied Epistemology. This presentation will include:

• A detailed presentation of the text;
• A clarification of its contribution to a specific field of management;
• A critical evaluation of the text, with particular reference to debates in ‘fundamental epistemology’ and the situation of organisations in the era of Anthropocene.

Duration – 20 to 30 mn max.
3. Final written document. This document will include:

• A general introduction presenting the main guidelines of the document;
• A brief summary followed by an in-depth analysis of two texts: one in ‘fundamental epistemology’, one in ‘applied epistemology’ (possibly – but not necessarily  – those presented orally);
• Each member of the group then presents his/her research project, and focuses on two main issues:
  • • he/she formulates a first draft of the epistemological framework of his/her thesis (either Master thesis or PhD);
    • he/she indicates the main contributions of the course to his/her personal reflection, regarding both ‘fundamental’ and ‘applied’ epistemologies;
    • he/she explains how his/her thesis endorses critical thought related to the Anthropocene.
  • A joint conclusion, where the group will explain the link between the individual contributions and how this link is reflected in each contribution.

The written document will comprise between 25 and 30 pages (Garamond 12, interligne 1.5). It will be posted on Moodle and sent by surface mail to: M. de Nanteuil, LSM/IACS, Place des Doyens, 1 - 1348 LLN – on (to be defined), with an electronic copy to (to be defined).
Information regarding the use of generative AI. In accordance with Louvain School of Management (LSM) policy, the teaching team encourages the use of generative AI, within the limits set out in the note entitled ‘Note to UCLouvain teaching staff (July 2023)’ written by the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs (VRAE). This note stipulates in particular that "students are required to systematically indicate all parts that have been produced using AI, e.g. in a footnote specifying whether AI was used to search for information, to write the text or to correct it. Furthermore, sources of information must be systematically cited in accordance with bibliographic referencing standards. Students remain responsible for the content of their work, regardless of the sources used" (ibid., p. 2). For this course, these provisions apply to every assignment, but especially to the final written document. In addition, the latter will include a statement by the students attesting to the authenticity of their work.

Other information

Learning Outcomes – By the end of the course, the students will be able to access to a critical theory of knowledge applied to management and, in a wider sense, to all disciplines that belong to management studies. Such a critical theory will require a high level of competence, so that the students will be able to:

1. Understand how a management science has been invented, what are the challenges and limits of such a project;
2. Identify the epistemological frames which support the practice of management in contemporary organizations;
3. Be equipped with the reflexive and critical tools they need to fulfill their doctoral thesis in management studies.

With reference to the LSM’s 'Competency Framework' (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/lsm/competency-framework.html), the skills acquired through this course are as follows:

• Corporate citizenship
• Knowledge and reasonning
• Scientific and sistemic approach

With reference to the UCLouvain ‘Sustainable development and Transition’ Wheel, linked to the Transition Plan (https://uclouvain.be/fr/decouvrir/universite-transition/plan-transition.html), this course will contribute to the development of the following issues:

• Plurality of visions
• Systemic analysis
• Transdisciplinary co-creation

Online resources

Everything is on the Moodle site : LLSMA2001

Bibliography

Pedagogical tools – Students will base their oral presentations on 2 portfolios:

• the one in ‘fundamental epistemology’ is divided by main epistemological branches (‘Foundations of Epistemology’, ‘Positivism and Neo-positivism’, ‘Systems and Structures’, ‘Phenomenology and Hermeneutics’, ‘Critical Realism and Pragmatism’;

• the one in ‘applied epistemology’ is divided by main managerial domains (‘Accountability and Finance’; ‘Marketing and Consumer Behavior’, ‘Data Analysis and Information Systems’, ‘Human Resources Management’, ‘Organizations’, ‘General Management’).

In addition, 3 books are highly recommended:

• A History of Western Philosophy, by B. Russel (London: Simon&Schuster, 1967 [1945]);
• Understanding Management Research, by Phil Johnson and Joanne Duberley (London: Sage, 2000);
• Justice in the Workplace. Overcoming Ethical Dilemmas, by Matthieu de Nanteuil (London: Edward Elgar, 2021).

As part of their learning process, students have access to a number of slides on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

> CLSM