Pedagogical Practice and Postmodernist Ideas

Abstract

Postmodern approaches to management and organizational theory raise a number of particular challenges for management educators. This article explores howinstructors can present postmodern ideas in the context of management education and explore their implications for management practice. The authors identify four postmodern themes: the notion of complicated identities, the “death” of the individual as expert, “disciplinary” powers that constrain individual actions, and the postmodern organization as a combination of dream and nightmare. To demonstrate the ambiguities and paradoxes associated with each theme, the authors outline in-class exercises to surface postmodern ideas.