From the Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2021!

This episode represents the third edition of a standing series showcasing the enduring relevance of foundational organizational research. We believe that continually re- visiting the ‘classics’ may complement the strong emphasis (at AOM and beyond) on new/fashionable ideas, enable cumulative insights, and promote the value of research committed to theorizing core organizational dynamics. We also believe that the major academic conferences provide excellent venues for fostering important conversations on how the ‘classics’ can inform both historical mindedness and analysis of contemporary issues.

Pedro and Gretta hosted a professional development workshop at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s workshop explores the foundational work of female scholars for the field of organization and management theory. This edition not only focuses on paying attention to — but also expanding — our canon by shedding light on female scholars. The event was structured through a mix of expositive and interactive moments.

There were a total of six presentations, and we have divided them up into two releases. Part 1 of this episode features an introduction by Gretta and Pedro and presentations by Emmanuelle Vaast on Jean Lave, Marta Calás on Edith Penrose, and Martha Feldman on Susan Leigh Star. Part 2 includes the remaining presentations by Maja Korica on Rosemary Stewart, Maria José Tonelli on Isabel Menzies Lyth, and Lisa Cohen on Rosabeth Moss Kanter. Each presentation includes a brief biography, their primary contributions to scholarship and practice, and how these women influenced and inspired the presenters.

We are grateful to the speakers for their wonderful presentations and to the Academy of Management for the opportunity to conduct the workshop. We hope you enjoy this episode and help us continue the conversations about these outstanding scholars!

Read With Us (these are sorted in order of presentation, not alphabetically):

Lave, J. (1988). Cognition in practice: Mind, mathematics and culture in everyday life. Cambridge University Press.

Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge university press.

Penrose, E. T. (1959). The theory of the growth of the firm. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Penrose, E. T. (1960). The growth of the firm—a case study: the Hercules Powder Company. Business History Review, 34(1), 1-23.

Star, S. L. (1999). The ethnography of infrastructure. American Behavioral Scientist, 43(3), 377-391.

Star, S. L., & Strauss, A. (1999). Layers of silence, arenas of voice: The ecology of visible and invisible work. Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 8(1), 9-30.

Kanter, R. M. (1977a). Some effects of proportions on group life: Skewed sex ratios and responses to token women. American Journal of Sociology, 82(5), 965-990.

Kanter, R. M. (1977b). Men and women of the corporation. Perseus Books.

Menzies, I. E. P. [Lyth, I. M.] (1960). The Functioning of Social Systems as a Defence Against Anxiety. Human Relations, 13, 95-121.

Lyth, I. M. (1988). Containing anxiety in institutions: Selected essays, Vol. 1. Free Association Books.

Stewart, R. (1967). Managers and their jobs. London: Macmillan.

Stewart, R. (1982). A model for understanding managerial jobs and behavior. Academy of Management Review, 7(1), 7-13.

Related Episodes on the Talking About Organizations network:

Episode 17. Tokenism – Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Episode 52. Management in Practice — Rosemary Stewart