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A narrative framework for management ideas: Disclosing the plots of knowledge management in a multinational company

Author

Listed:
  • I. Corbett-Etchevers

    (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UPMF - Université Pierre Mendès France - Grenoble 2 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UPMF - Université Pierre Mendès France - Grenoble 2 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Eléonore Mounoud

    (LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec)

Abstract

We extend research on management ideas by providing a narrative framework for studying how management ideas are consumed. We dwell upon Certeau's (1984) work on the practice of consumption and Ricœur's (1983) concept of emplotment. Specifically, we study, over a 20-year time period, how Cement Inc., a multinational company, adopted and used knowledge management (KM) ideas and practices. We disclose the consumption of KM at Cement Inc. through four plots that provide an account not only in terms of adopting and using, but also in terms of organizational and individual experiences. We show that knowledge management ideas are co-consumed through multiple, iterative, continuous emplotments, unfolding at multiple levels across time, people and practices.We argue that our narrative framework makes two contributions. First, it provides an integrative view of the consumption of management ideas and proves a helpful device for making sense of an enormous amount of data. Second, it allows unity as well as multiplicity in analysis of the consumption process: one story is told from many different perspectives and results in broader understanding.

Suggested Citation

  • I. Corbett-Etchevers & Eléonore Mounoud, 2011. "A narrative framework for management ideas: Disclosing the plots of knowledge management in a multinational company," Post-Print halshs-00656157, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00656157
    DOI: 10.1177/1350507610394579
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    Cited by:

    1. Kajsa Ahlgren Ode & Céline Louche, 2022. "A business model pattern arrives... and then? A translation perspective on business model innovation in established firms," Post-Print hal-03633349, HAL.
    2. Jerzy Kociatkiewicz & Monika Kostera, 2016. "Grand plots of management bestsellers : learning from narrative and thematic coherence," Post-Print hal-02400981, HAL.

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