A Critical Discourse Analysis perspective on strategy

Abstract

Strategy has become a dominant discourse for decision-making in and around business and other organizations. However, the discursive aspects of strategy have received very little attention by researchers, say nothing of practitioners. To partially bridge this gap, we examine  strategy discourse from a Critical Discourse Analysis perspective in this paper. In particular, we try to spell out in concrete terms how Critical Discourse Analysis can contribute to a fuller understanding of the social and societal implications of the extensive use of strategy discourse in various kinds of organizations. We sketch three important areas for empirical research. First, we reflect on the ideological implications of strategy discourse the analysis of which is crucial to understand the full significance of this discourse. Second, we argue that is important to take the legitimating and naturalizing aspects of strategy discourse seriously. Third, we argue that the emerging identities and subjectivities constructed through strategy discourse require special attention.