Penrose, critical realism and the evolution of business knowledge

A methodological reappraisal

Bibliographic Data

ID8083946
AuthorsPeter Clark (0000-0003-1001-9226, Queen Mary University of London, corresponding author), Richard Blundel (0000-0002-5000-3117, Brunel University of London)
Year2007
Volume2
Issue1
Pages45-62
Publication date2007-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueManagement & Organizational History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-9359 • E-ISSN: 1744-9367
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1177/1744935907076350
OpenAlexW2078723600
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited43

This article examines the challenge of modifying orthodox 'case study' approaches to the growth of firms and interorganizational networks in the light of recent work on the evolution of business knowledge.We suggest that a modified Penrosian framework, combined with a qualified application of critical realist practices, could contribute to more coherent and insightful theorizing in this area.We begin with a critique of Edith Penrose's legacy, including her efforts to initiate a historically informed tradition of social scientific research on the growth of the firm.We go on to consider the explanatory potential of critical realism, when adopted as a methodological adjunct to neo-Penrosian theorizing. Our main proposition is illustrated through a superfactual reinterpretation of certain aspects of the historical case study of the Rover Company (1896–1982) conducted by Richard Whipp and Peter Clark (1986

Critical realism (philosophy of perception · Critical theory · Epistemology · Proposition · Realism · Reinterpretation · Sociology · Critical Realism in Sociology · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Management and Organizational Studies · Philosophy

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