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The lack of a critical perspective in environmental management research: distortion in the scientific discourse

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  • Jenny Ählström
  • Monica Macquet
  • Ulf Richter

Abstract

Although a lack of critical perspective in environmental management has been acknowledged, the frequency of this perspective has not been measured. This was noted in the editorial of Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) 1998, where Richard Welford called for more critical theory in environmental management. BSE can be seen as a forerunner in the field. Therefore, it could be expected that the most critical and reflective research contributing to sustainable development in companies could be published in the journal. In order to analyse the extent to which critical perspective is present in environmental management, we reviewed the last six years of BSE. We found that the studies undertaken generally follow the positivist paradigm, which almost exclusively echoes marginal adjustments. Papers with a critical perspective are in the minority. Using Jürgen Habermas' work on communicative action and discourse, we conclude that there is a distortion in this scientific discourse. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Ählström & Monica Macquet & Ulf Richter, 2009. "The lack of a critical perspective in environmental management research: distortion in the scientific discourse," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(5), pages 334-346, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:18:y:2009:i:5:p:334-346
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.592
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    3. José F. Molina‐Azorín & María D. López‐Gamero, 2016. "Mixed Methods Studies in Environmental Management Research: Prevalence, Purposes and Designs," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(2), pages 134-148, February.
    4. Andreea-Daniela, Gangone & Mihaela, Asandei, 2017. "Impact Of Green Marketing Practices On National Competitiveness In The European Union," Management Strategies Journal, Constantin Brancoveanu University, vol. 36(2), pages 6-14.
    5. Fuentes, Christian, 2015. "How green marketing works: Practices, materialities, and images," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 192-205.
    6. Ozgur Isil & Michael T. Hernke, 2017. "The Triple Bottom Line: A Critical Review from a Transdisciplinary Perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(8), pages 1235-1251, December.
    7. Subhabrata Bobby Banerjee & Annabel‐Mauve Bonnefous, 2011. "Stakeholder management and sustainability strategies in the French nuclear industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(2), pages 124-140, February.
    8. Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria & German Arana & Olivier Boiral, 2016. "Outcomes of Environmental Management Systems: the Role of Motivations and Firms’ Characteristics," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(8), pages 545-559, December.
    9. Olivier Boiral & Mehran Ebrahimi & Kerstin Kuyken & David Talbot, 2019. "Greening Remote SMEs: The Case of Small Regional Airports," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 813-827, February.
    10. Peter Dobers & Delyse Springett, 2010. "Corporate social responsibility: discourse, narratives and communication," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(2), pages 63-69, March.
    11. Nilsen, Heidi Rapp & Ellingsen, May-Britt, 2015. "The power of environmental indifference. A critical discourse analysis of a collaboration of tourism firms," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 26-33.

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