1. Problem statement Within the framework of this paper, we investigate the actors justification activities (Boltanski et Thevenot, 1991, 1999) engaged in a collective decision-making process within a social enterprise... [ view full abstract ]
1. Problem statement
Within the framework of this paper, we investigate the actors justification activities (Boltanski et Thevenot, 1991, 1999) engaged in a collective decision-making process within a social enterprise (Defourny et Laville, 2007; Defourny and Nyssens, 2012, 2014; Laville, 2000).
2. Research questions
We attempt to answer three research questions :
How do actors defend their opinions within collective settings in a social enterprise?
What situational constraints do they have to deal/negotiate with?
What competencies do they have to mobilize/develop in order to ensure the felicity of their interventions?
3. Research objectives
Within this paper, we attempt to understand how actors mobilize their practical sense of justice (Boltanski et Thévenot, 1991; Nachi, 2006) within collective or public settings.
4. Theory
In order to conceptualize the micro-sociological and ordinary aspects of decision-making, we mobilize the contributions developed by critical, pragmatic and discursive approaches of strategy. We also count on the pragmatist approach developed in the sociology of collective action.
So as to understand to appreciate the contextual specificities and characteristics of not-for-profit organizations, we rely upon the conceptualization developed by social and solidarity economy literatures (Defourny et Laville, 2007; Defourny and Nyssens, 2012; Gardin, 2006; Laville, 2000, 2003, 2014)
5. Methodology
Requiring a thorough accounts of the actors’ meaning, representations, we favor a qualitative research. Within this research, we therefore collect our data through non-participant observations and ad-hoc semi-structured interviews. Such interviews allows us to deepen/confirm the researcher’s understanding of the data collected through observations.
6. Added value to the international research community
Such an objective attempts to adress issues raised in two disconnected - although highly complementary - epistemic communities.
As regards decision-making theories, it allows to connect issues as regards ethics with traditional research in strategy. It also makes possible the reconnection between decision-making and talk activities. Third, it provides the pragmatist and interactionist approach to decision-making with alternative and innovative paths for analyzing management situations. Finally, it also allows for the mobilization/practice of pragmatist approach developed in the sociology of collective action "in/with" different fields - not institutionalized but associationist settings.
As far as Social and Solidarity Economy theory is concerned, it sets the grounds of an empirical study (within social enterprises) that would take significant liberty from the normative imprint of Habermassian theories.
