Analysis of Critical Management Studies: Case Study and Theories

This report delves into Critical Management Studies (CMS), presenting a case study on worker exploitation in the IT sector, specifically focusing on video game developers and software designers subjected to long working hours and inadequate compensation, a phenomenon referred to as 'death ...Read More

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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
2.0 Case study..................................................................................................................................1
3.0 Analysis......................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Marxist theory to CMS..........................................................................................................3
3.2 Habermas theory...................................................................................................................4
4.0 Recommendations......................................................................................................................6
5.0 CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Critical management studies simply refers to a loose but extended grouping of
empirically informed critical review of business and corporation, management and is grounded
earlier in a critical hypothesis perspective (Kothari, 2016). Now a days, it is encompassing a vast
range of views that are captious of conventional philosophies of management and business
schools that is used for generating these theories. The present report is based on a case study and
it also contains relevant information about critical management studies. In this project, various
theories like Marxist theory, Habesmas concepts regarding ideal of speech, etc. Apart from this,
some of the information is also added from provided case study.
2.0 Case study
According to the given case study, exploitation of workers from the IT sector has been
increasing day on day. Video game designers or software developers are being hired and are
forced to do long working hours. Large amount of work are taken from them without giving
them proper pay. This is creating rhetorical effects and making the working environment so
stressful as overtime working is examined and there is no assurance of any compensation. This
phenomena is named as death march. This is the reason of both workers and capital mobility.
Investigator has focused on (de)regulation of working time only, but this evaluation opens up a
way to theoretically or the (de) regulation of work more narrowly in an growing work force that
is new professionals in working sector. Video game developers and software designers are not
portion of a big pool of exchangeable labour either as a neo- Marxit model will suggest; on the
other hand, they comprise a strategic asset for their for their managers, a captious success factor,
specially so in terms of absence of skilled work force (Lunney, 2013).
This case report is designed by taking interviews of around 88 extensive employees
involving project manager, computer analyst, testing engineers, managers and so on. From both
cases, the researcher said that managerial staff and senior mangers are not viewed as subject to
the provisions in respect to payment of extra time working hours. The samples consist of equal
number of male and female, neglecting the low proportion of female employees in organisation.
In context of educational qualification, approx 98 % of video game designers has done many
forms post secondary education, while 60 % are university degree holder and around 26 % owns
a technical diploma degree. This has been investigated that software developers are commonly
put in overtime at their homes in night or at weekends. After taking interviews of 46 % of female
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and 83 % of male, researcher found that approx 49 % respondents worked extra 40 hours in a
week and 13.6 % work around over 50 hours within seven days (Grey and et. al., 2016). Thus, it
can be said that women are less probable to work extra hours in comparison to their males
associates as they also have to complete their duty regarding children and domestic works.
Researcher also explained about the issues of crunch time and has done work on
associated burnout as well. In practice, yet, overtime is more the regulation than the exception, as
per the Online quality of Life International Survey of the International game developers
association, a survey of 994 members, amounting to around 10 % of company's overall
membership. Coming to legal framework, Act of Respecting Labour Standards clearly stated that
a manager who ask their employees to work overtime have to provide wages at premium rate. If
any employer does not want to pay for overtime, the they should not provide extra work to their
work forces. But this has been examined that most of the IT companies are not following this
rule made by government.
Reputation plays a major role in Information technology sector. It is very essential to
understand the working of enterprises who work on project based. Reputation plays a big role
and largely affect the decision. Basically design of every products give rise to a contract which
later becomes a project and is manage as per the set principles. Major elements of a project are
its scope, budget and deadlines. In case of video games, competitions is always international as
in this location does not play a significant role. Failures are high and very common in video
games that's why companies invest more in risk analysis (Guest, 2011). Due to copycat rivals,
increase distribution of products in an illegal way, IT sector faces a number of challenges.
Number of commercial games are there which are not producing any kind of profit. Game
publisher acquire IP rights to games under which designer get compensation against royalties,
that totally based on sales. Basically games are funded by publishers and this take number of
years to develop. Further, publisher do all efforts to manage the risk with help of producers in
order to monitor the success. Strategy of HRM (Human resource management) must be combine
with business model as this help in increase the return on investment. Management of projects as
per the set standards and project based working offer an adequate HRM approach.
If an enterprises wants to offer innovative and better quality products to its customers
then it requires to do lot of improvements. One of the major challenge which managers face is
that control the business operations and at the same time maintain a culture of innovation and
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creativity. One of the main advantage of project based working is that it helps managers to
manage and perform flexible roles that helps them in manage changes and get a control over all
business operations. Uncertainty is one of the major issue that always lies with project
management. As per the core theory, project based organisation is replace by relentless
challenges of continuous innovation.
Project life cycle is another cornerstone of project management in which production of
product is broken down into smaller operations. This helps manager in identify the resources and
budgets require to complete the project. In practical life, both software and video game
developers carry out activities of entrepreneurs. In order to avoid and remove bureaucracy, basic
managerial functions such as research and development, human resources, finance and
production require to be coordinated (Foss and Knudsen, 2013). Project managers manage every
aspect related with project such as HRM and at the same time formulate effective policies and
encourage individuals to work with given time period. It is very essential that this should not be
misunderstood. Overall, project based enterprises does not only allow control to team members
but also gives control to clients. This is the main reason why project based enterprises are
popular and are beyond the limits of IT industry. Due to this, there is an increase in the members
of management profession.
3.0 Analysis
3.1 Marxist theory to CMS
Marxist theory works in the sector of philosophy that is powerfully influenced by Karl
Marx's materialist approach to theory. Most of history and pre – history of critical management
studies is concerned with reckoning out the evinces of the text signed with name of Marx. This
history can be broadly summarised in three moments (Elwood, 2017). First moment is one of the
regulation that after some time became famous as labour process theory and what is regarded as
the forerunner to CMS. He said that the value of things have to measured in context of labour
that went into their manufacture. But historical economics does not do the same as they calculate
value in terms of whatever earned after selling products or services in market place. Marx was
incorrect in putting so much importance for developing a economic theory on the basis of labour
as the unit of measurement. It is tough to describe several things this way, like prices person pay
for things, and it is not essential for his critical review of capitalism. Thus, a great time period
has get wasted on debating in this belief only.
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The second moment is one of caesura, in which more of what is being granted in a
Marxist analysis of organisation and management is tangled overboard. In specific this
happens through a conceptuality of the comparative independence of management vis a vis
capital. Here calculation of the employer and its position within venture is viewed in relation to a
structural evaluation of the functioning of management within capitalistic relations of
production. On the other hand, the third moment correctly comprises a return to Marx, in many
ways in spite of the first two moments (Cardoso. Meireles and Ferreira Peralta, 2012). Scholar
try to rejuvenate a special early 20th century version of Paleo – Marxism is possibly much more
prominent, but also the less innovation based, move to think a Marxist future for CMS. This
moment also objected on theory of labour process and challenge it to once more execute a turn to
the invisible abode of production, this time in social industrial plant. Most of the analysis of
management and associated functioning like accounting is here once more thought as part of a
capitalist machine of capture. Some of the key criticism of this theory are listed below :
 Too much importance is provided to the economic factor in describing social order and
modifications.
 Marx ' theory of value stated that the value of production is considered to the amount of
labour in it. Employees are creating that value but are getting it all in their salary or
payments. On the other hand, private enterprise sell the goods in more revenue than they
pay to their workers and hence gains the part of the value made by them (Child, 2012).
Therefore, to Marx, the main fault in capitalism is this unfairness or injustice that is also
said as theft and exploitation that is being done ion the mode of manufacturing.
3.2 Habermas theory
Jurgen Habermas is a German philosopher of critical theory. Theoretical model of
habermas is dedicated to reveal the possibility of reason. Currently Jurgen Habermas get ranks as
one of the most powerful philosophers in world.
 Habermas's theory of politics, morality and law: Habermas's interest in rationality and
political theory come deliberative democracy. Under this Habermas do struggle to show
his idealised discourse theory. He concludes his conception of practical disclosure in
disclosure principle. Each discourse consists specification content for the issue. Basically,
he has been concerned with two major specifications that is legal political and moral
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discourse. During differentiating between these two, he also tackle the problem of
relationship between morality and law.
Under disclosure theory of morality, Habermas's consider the element the morality as a
matter of moral obligations, the positive obligations that ensure interactions among individuals.
Further, he also did efforts to give discourse ethics by consider social anthropology and
empirical foothold. As per the point views of Habermas, moral maturation consists the growing
ability to merge the interpersonal perspectives given with the personal pronouns (Cacciabue ,
2013).
Main aim of Habermas's democratic theory was to provides a normative account for the law.
Further, the demand on the legitimation of law varies with functional realignment.
 Theory of communicative action: Habermas develop a social theory of two level that
consists analysis of communicative rationality. On the basis of this theory, he hopes to to
able to examine the losses and gains of modernisation in order to overcome with one
sided version of rationalization. Critical theories make two assumptions is that there is
one preferred mode of expiations and there is one goals of social criticism. Correctness
and incorrectness of this theory is largely depend on its rejection and acceptance.
Habermas's attitude towards these different modes is somewhat uncertain but he has gave
good reasons to accept the pluralist approach. He accepts that all theories and modes of
inquiry have a legitimacy.
 Habermas's discourse theory: Theory of communicative action rely on the idea that social
order largely depend on the capacity of individuals to recognise the validity of various
claims on which social cooperation depends. Habermans highlights cognitive and rational
character to recognise the validity of claims (Habermas theory, 2017). He proposes a
multi dimensional conception that express itself in various form of validity and not only
in just truth claims but also in empirical world.
Discourse theory of Habermas assumes that specific type of validity claim only single aim to
justify and that's why this theory is known as pragmatic analysis of argumentation. From logical
point of view, individuals are concerned with arguments as services, products that supports
conclusions. Strength of these type of arguments largely depend on the how an individual take
account all the relevant information. The term called logical not only consider formal logics but
also give consideration to informal logics. In all this strengths depends on the meaning of terms
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and information that complete formalization. Some discourses depend on various types which
are moral, most obvious and ethical party.
Habermas concluded that an ideal speech situation is a condition when communication
between individuals is governed by rules. In this, participants would be able to examine each
other's statement on the basis of reason and proofs exist in a situation consists both psychological
and physical coercion (Alvesson and Willmott, 2012). All individuals would be encouraged
solely by the desire to obtain a rational outcome.
Condition of ideal speech came in 1970s by various theorists who relativized the concept
and proof that an ideal speech situation could not be proven correct completely.
(Source : Habermas theory, 2017)
4.0 Recommendations
 As per the ideal speech given by Habermas, it is very essential for an individual to
analyse every factor in order to better understand the statement given by other.
 Various elements which consists at environment should be take account by individual to
get better understanding about the knowledge.
 Everyone should have a right ask questions.
 It is necessary that every person should work in an ethical and legal manner.
 The communication should be clear and proper.
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Illustration 1: Habermas theory

 It is very essential that everyone should have space to express their, needs, desires and
attitudes without any hesitation.
 Receiver should examine the situation from every aspect and angle in order to analyse the
validity of collected data.
 Every individual competent with subject or who have full knowledge about the topic is
allowed to take part in discussion.
5.0 CONCLUSION
From the above based report, it can be summarised that critical management study is
nothing but the method of understanding theoretical concepts regarding management, businesses
and firm. This is done on the ground of critical theory perspective. So, this is important for every
contemporary or modern organisation to use this methodology and apply it in their business
appropriately. By this way, they can understand the current situation of the IT sector workers and
can attempt to minimise the unfairness that is being done on them. They should provide proper
wages to their work force in the case of overtime working hours. In addition to this, specific
summary of given case study has been provided whereby exploitation of software developers and
video game designers has been explained. At the same time, various theories has discussed in
detail such as Marx theory and Habermas's ideal of speech.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alvesson, M. and Willmott, H., 2012. Making sense of management: A critical introduction.
Sage.
Cacciabue, P. C., 2013. Guide to applying human factors methods: Human error and accident
management in safety-critical systems. Springer Science & Business Media.
Cardoso, L., Meireles, A. and Ferreira Peralta, C., 2012. Knowledge management and its critical
factors in social economy organizations. Journal of knowledge management. 16(2).
pp.267-284.
Child, J., 2012. British Management Thought (Routledge Revivals): A Critical Analysis.
Routledge.
Elwood, M., 2017. Critical appraisal of epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Oxford
University Press.
Foss, N. J. and Knudsen, C. eds., 2013. Towards a competence theory of the firm (Vol. 2).
Routledge.
Grey, C. and et. al., 2016. Critical management studies: Global voices, local accents. Routledge.
Guest, D. E., 2011. Human resource management and performance: still searching for some
answers. Human resource management journal. 21(1). pp.3-13.
Kothari, U. ed., 2016. A radical history of development studies: Individuals, institutions and
ideologies. Zed Books Ltd..
Lunney, M. ed., 2013. Critical thinking to achieve positive health outcomes: Nursing case
studies and analyses. John Wiley & Sons.
Morrison, M. L., Marcot, B. and Mannan, W., 2012. Wildlife-habitat relationships: concepts and
applications. Island Press.
Morton, P. G. and et. al., 2017. Critical care nursing: a holistic approach. Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins.
Myers, M. D., 2013. Qualitative research in business and management. Sage.
Urden, L. D., Stacy, K. M. and Lough, M. E., 2017. Critical Care Nursing-E-Book: Diagnosis
and Management. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Vaccaro, I. G. and et. al., 2012. Management innovation and leadership: The moderating role of
organizational size. Journal of Management Studies. 49(1). pp.28-51.
Wamukota, A. W., Cinner, J. E. and McClanahan, T. R., 2012. Co-management of coral reef
fisheries: a critical evaluation of the literature. Marine Policy. 36(2). pp.481-488.
Online
Habermas theory. 2017. [Online]. Available through :
<http://www.integralworld.net/corbett1.html>.