Past is prologue: from human relations to social exchange theory

Author:

Muldoon JeffreyORCID,Gould Anthony M.,Joullié Jean-EtienneORCID

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this article is twofold. Its first objective is to bring to the fore the unexplored and neglected origins of social exchange theory (SET) to critique this body of conjecture. This unearthing is illustrated through focusing on the way the theory was developed and how this development was mischaracterised in literature. Its second objective is to invoke the methodological assemblage of ANTi-History and the “close reading” notion using multiple archival sources to demonstrate their usefulness within the critical qualitative method debate.Design/methodology/approachThe historic character of management and organization studies is exemplified through utilizing a combination of textual sources to examine how SET emerged from within the human relations school of thought throughout much of the twentieth century. Specifically, an array of sources (including archival data) is deployed and closely examined to trace how SET formed and became prevalent in organizational studies over the last decades.FindingsSET is not only indebted to the human relations movement in general and to Elton Mayo’s work in particular (as is well-known), but also to logical positivism and behavioralist-school psychology. As such, Homans’ work marked the beginning of a new era in organizational behavior research.Originality/valueThe article highlights the role of historical analyses in interpreting mainstream constructs in organizational behavior. In doing so, it reveals how critical qualitative research leads to understanding some shortcomings of a theory and indicates potential remedies.

Publisher

Emerald

Reference124 articles.

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4. Appold, S.J. (2006), “Elements and identity: Homans as an industrial sociologist”, in Trevino, A.J. (Ed.), George Homans: History, Theory and Methods, Paradigm, Boulder, CO.

5. Decolonizing management theory: a critical perspective;Journal of Management Studies,2022

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