Chia and Holt (2009) ‘entire realm of strategy
being pervaded by a paradoxical logic’, which
requires ‘an entirely different mode of
comprehension and engagement from that
of linear instrumental rationality’.
Paradox lens/framework: Making sense of the
context, characterized by uncertainty,
turbulence, and ambiguity(Lewis,2000)
Jarzabkowski et al (2013), organisations are
inherently paradoxical with interrelated and
contradictory elements that persist over
time (Smith and Lewis, 2011)
“para” meaning “contrary” and “doxa”
“accepted opinion” - involves the
juxtaposition of two incompatible and
conflicting ideas
Eastern
philosophy
Phiosohical
foundation
and
evolution
Morgan’s Images of Organization
(Morgan, 1986), highlighted the notion
of contradictory and mutually
sustaining opposites accompanied by
the ideas of paradox and dialectics
Kierkegaard (1954) paradox as a
persistent ebb and flow between
infinite (uncertainty and exploration)
and finite (social norms or restriction)
oppositional forces
Jung (1965)-conceptualisation of the
duality of self-i.e. conscious and
unconsciousness
Rothenberg (1979) research on the
work of creative geniuses like
Einstein, Mozart and Picasso
Smith and Berg (1987)- micro
psychological domains and potential of
paradoxical dynamics in virtuous and
vicious cycles (Smith & Berg, 1987).
Quinn and Cameron (1988) idea of
contradiction in organizational studies
across levels and perspectives
emphasizing transformation and change.
Poole and Van de Ven (1989)
focused on methodological theory
building approaches
Smith and Lewis (2011) social construction and
emergent nature of paradox and defining paradox
as persistent contradiction between
interdependent elements
Western
Philosophy
Vicious and
Virtous Cycle
dynamic equilibrium
model Smith and
Lewis (2011)
organizing paradox: arise from the inherent
contradictions between different parts of
the organizational whole (Lewis, 2000) and
examines how firms create competing
designs and processes to achieve a desired
outcome
Performing paradox- deals with the varied
goals and outcomes stemming from different
internal and external demands faced by a firm
or tensions between stakeholders interpreting
organizational outcomes differently (Jay, 2013).