American Pragmatism and Organization

’A hallmark of pragmatism is its drive to transcend unproductive dualisms. Kelemen and Rumens, and their collaborators, have provided an important collection that contributes to the wide revival of pragmatist approaches now underway. They demonstrate that organizational research founded in pragmatist principles can overcome divisions between approaches stressing objective measurement and those emphasizing interpretation or construction, and can produce results that are both scientifically warranted and socially productive.’ Michael D. Cohen, School of Information, University of Michigan, US ’This fascinating book provides a refreshing and stimulating return to the analysis of pragmatism and neo-pragmatism in the social sciences. It assesses the work of key figures associated with the movement and expands this investigation to consider issues of current intellectual concern to scholars of economics, institutions and organisations. The various contributors offer perspectives that are at once original, critical and reflexive. Simply a must for anyone interested in the contemporary analysis of pragmatism.’ John Hassard, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK ’It is a well-crafted work that provides a rich and skilful account of classic American pragmatist thought, its main concepts and issues. Further, it is useful as a heuristic device (there is nothing disparaging in that, on the contrary it is a pragmatist virtue) and is indeed an encouraging book to read.’ Scandinavian Journal of Management, vol. 30, no. 3