Strategy, strategists and fantasy: a dialogic constructionist perspective

MacIntosh, R. and Beech, N. (2011) Strategy, strategists and fantasy: a dialogic constructionist perspective. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 24(1), pp. 15-37.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute a constructionist perspective to debates in the strategy literature about the ways in which managers conduct strategy work. We build on observations that fantasy plays a central role in strategy work and we focus on the ways in which fantasies of self and other operate in the identity work of participants in the process of developing strategy. Design / Methodology / Approach The study presents an inductive approach based on extended participant observation in two different organizations. Each engagement lasted about three years and the analysis is based on data gathered in meetings, workshops, focus groups, interviews and other informal settings. Findings The paper presents four different types of fantasy which we observed in the data set. These fantasies are labeled: helpful pairing; the arms race; the eternal optimist and the merchant of doom. We also suggest that there are three useful dimensions that might be used to unpack the ways in which fantasies operate. These are role playing and role taking; temporal place and associated value; the relationship between fantasy and evidence. Originality The paper offers four types of fantasy construction as a contribution to the extant literature and three analytical dimensions which can be used to consider the ways in which fantasy operates in the identity work of strategists. We propose that future research on strategy should entail an understanding of the role of fantasy in what people say and do. Keywords Strategy Practice, Social Construction, Dialogue, Identity, Fantasy, Engaged Scholarship Paper Type Research Paper

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacIntosh, Professor Robert
• Authors: MacIntosh, R., and Beech, N.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Research Group: Strategy
• Journal Name: Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal
• Journal Abbr.: AAAJ
• ISSN: 0951-3574