Narrative Methods for Organizational & Communication Research (SAGE series in Management Research) [Paperback]

David Boje (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761965874 | ISBN-13: 978-0761965879 | Publication Date: July 12, 2001 | Edition: 1

An essential guide for academics and researchers needing to look at alternative discourse analysis strategies. As a research tool, narrative methods have become increasingly useful in organization studies, where much research involves the interpretation of "stories" in some form. This methodology can be applied where qualitative story analyses can help to assess interview, newspaper or web document stories for research projects.

In this book, Boje sets out eight analysis options that can deal with storytelling, recognizing that stories in organizations can be self-destructing, flowing, networking and not at all static. In so doing, he shows ways in which narrative methods can be supplemented by "anti-narrative" methods, where fragmented and collective storytelling can be interpreted.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An impressive achievement. Dave Boje's book deals with the complex issue of organisational narrative in a lively yet authoritative way. A major contribution to advancing organizational theory as a multi-voiced methodology." - John Hassard

Manchester School of Management, UMIST

`This is an important book. It is a major methodological contribution to critical, postmodern studies of organizations and management. It is essential reading for critical management scholars'- Robert P Gephar Jr, University of Alberta School of Business

About the Author

Ph.D.; University of Illinois.
Critical Postmodern studies, storytelling, narrative ethnography, content analysis, deconstruction & rhetorical analysis

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; 1 edition (July 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761965874
• ISBN-13: 978-0761965879
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Narrative, August 2, 2001

By 

Dr Adrian Carr (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Methods for Organizational & Communication Research (SAGE series in Management Research) (Paperback)

Boje, D. M. (2001). Narrative Methods for Organizational and Communication Research. London: Sage. New Book that contains several analyses on Nike and Athletic Apparel narratives, and the concept of "antenarrative."

Comments by Dr Adrian Carr on a new book by Professor David Boje

David Boje is a pioneering theorist in organization studies and management, being one of those who introduced these fields to postmodernism and story-telling. He is also a Socratic gadfly in these fields, reminding us of precision and clarity in the terms and concepts we employ. "Narrative and Antenarrative MethodsÉ" is yet another example of BojeÕs pioneering spirit and concern for exactitude. We humans are story-telling creatures, of this there is no doubt. BojeÕs scholarly account of narrative and antenarrative methods is both corrective and exploratory of how stories must be understood in terms of their own internal dynamics, and not viewed as static entities. Apart from correcting misconceptions and sloppy scholarship about narrative, Boje outlines eight antenarrative forms of analysis. By "antenarrative" (not antinarrative), Boje has his sights set on the fragmented and polyphonic character of stories. Narrative analysis has repeatedly failed to capture the ÔlivingÕ stories. Indeed, narrative analysis has almost set itself apart from the story itself, as though it were somehow superior to the story it is supposed to reflect and providing a coherence and gloss that is not in character with the story. How does one acknowledge and reflect the fragmented, polyphonic and collectively produced nature of stories? BojeÕs book is a magnificent start to dealing with such crucial questions. A book that breaks new ground in organizational analysis, this is a must-read for researchers and practitioners in the fields of organization and management studies.

Dr Adrian Carr Principal Research Fellow School of Social, Community and Organization Studies University of Western Sydney Australia

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide on conducting narrative review, June 26, 2007

By 

Dr. A. B. ONEILL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Methods for Organizational & Communication Research (SAGE series in Management Research) (Paperback)

Many books explain "what" to do when conducting research but David Boje goes one step further and explains also "how". As a PhD student this book has greatly assisted my research efforts. It provides detailed description of how to apply narrative methods and many helpful comments balancing concerns and some of the dangers to overcome when doing this type of work. Very readable and informative.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of narrative research, August 10, 2001

By 

Hans (In the margin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Methods for Organizational & Communication Research (SAGE series in Management Research) (Paperback)

David Boje outlines an excellent model for research in an organizational studies area that is of increasing interest. His model details how researchers can gain insight into a variety of contexts across a variety of narrative types. Students of organizational studies and experienced researchers alike needing to expand their research horizons would do well to join the conversation that Boje began and continues.