Some Remarks on the Problem of Incommensurability in Organization Studies

Abstract

Organization studies have become differentiated and complex fields of research. It has become difficult for both the researcher and the practitioner to find appropriate answers to theoretical or practical problems, and theoretical advice is often contradictory. Today, we have to deal with various schools of thought that are often considered incommensurable. An objective frame of reference to evaluate different paradigms is missing, and recent discussions in organization theory have shown that it is rather difficult to find common ground. It is the purpose of this paper to review the current paradigmatic state of organization studies, to consider the pluralism of paradigms and its consequences, and to discuss the possibility of overcoming the incommensurability problem. Our discussion makes clear that there is no theoretical solution to the incommensurability problem, but that the possibility of a practical solution does exist.