The paper proposes the use of the meta-paradigmatic analysis in investigating organizational problems. First, I analyse the phenomenon of multi-paradigmaticism in management studies. I will characterize four management paradigms accentuating the differences between them. Then, I will point to the potential relationships between the paradigms stressing the possibilities of combining cognitive perspectives. The metaparadigmatic perspective can be particularly useful in the following fields: the theory of organization, organizational culture, knowledge management, human capital management and the methodology of management. Keywords: management paradigms, meta-paradigmatic method, paradigms of social sciences

The main aim of this research has been to relate the theory of ISD discussed in Hirschheim’s and Klein’s article ”Four Paradigms of Information Systems Development” (ISD) to Churchman’s theory of ISD discussed in his book ”The Design of Inquiring Systems”. It has been important to relate those two assumptions of ISD in order to enhance both of them and to get a more explicit understanding of ISD. The main hypothesis in this research has been that it is possible to relate them to each other and to clarify and enhance them since they are both based on philosophical assumptions of knowledge generation i.e. epistemology. Epistemological and ontological aspects of knowledge generation and nature of societies are very important for understanding of IS since knowledge transfer is more and more common because of ICT development. The synthesis of those two well-known approaches to ISD is the main contribution of this research master thesis. The other contributions are the solution for double-loop learning through multi-agent system development and the solution for developing sustainable network societies through peer-to-peer networking combined with centralised networking functioning as a library. I also have given an explicit explanation of the differences between monism (holism) and pluralism, in this case regarding to Leibniz’s and Locke’s philosophical views. Singerian epistemology has been generated from his explanation of insufficiency of either rationalist or interpretative approaches for explanation of natural laws and this is also one of my contributions in this research. I also recommended a complementary use of the rationalist, empirical and interpretative research methodologies for research in theoretical, experimental, applied and social science fields. It has been also examined which methodologies are predominating at universities offering degrees in social informatics and it has appeared that on the most of universities offering degree in social informatics, proper research methodologies for studying societies are used what had been expected. generation and nature of societies are very important for understanding of IS since knowledge transfer is more and more common because of ICT development. The synthesis of those two well-known approaches to ISD is the main contribution of this research master thesis. The other contributions are the solution for double-loop learning through multi-agent system development and the solution for developing sustainable network societies through peer-to-peer networking combined with centralised networking functioning as a library. I also have given an explicit explanation of the differences between monism (holism) and pluralism, in this case regarding to Leibniz’s and Locke’s philosophical views. Singerian epistemology has been generated from his explanation of insufficiency of either rationalist or interpretative approaches for explanation of natural laws and this is also one of my contributions in this research. I also recommended a complementary use of the rationalist, empirical and interpretative research methodologies for research in theoretical, experimental, applied and social science fields. It has been also examined which methodologies are predominating at universities offering degrees in social informatics and it has appeared that on the most of universities offering degree in social informatics, proper research methodologies for studying societies are used what had been expected. "

The article presents the most characteristic features of the Critical Management Science stream which keeps gaining popularity in the global management discourse.

The article presents characteristic features of the critical approach in management — Critical Management Studies — which keeps gaining popularity in the global management studies discourse. The authors point out the major paradigmatic assumptions of this line of inquiry, its intellectual sources and its critical tools, emphasizing in particular the role of education as the key to effective emancipation. The article closes with a criticism of CMS, which falls into line with the demand of the critical approach that the practice of scientific research should be accompanied by autocriticism.

Most of the research in the ®eld of Information Systems appears to be guided by one set of philosophical assumptions Ð those of positivism. Such paradigm unity could prove problematic as it might stymie alternative conceptions of problems in the IS ®eld. This paper inquires into whether the ®eld does indeed embrace a solitary paradigm and if so, what its implications are. In so doing, the paper provides an overview of positivism, its paradigmatic grounding, why it became popular, and the obstacles to change. The paper looks at the possibility of paradigm pluralism particularly as it relates to pragmatism. The relationship between pragmatism and the call for more relevance in IS research is also explored. In its examination of these topics, the paper notes the rather surprising importance Burrell and Morgan's notion of paradigms has played in the conception of the ®eld's philosophical discussions. 7

The paper seeks to introduce students of international business to some of the dominant paradigms in social science and how they impact international business research. The discussions aim to encourage students to be conscious of their own ontological and epistemological orientations as business scholars and to interrogate the paradigmatic dispositions of other scholars that provide theoretical anchors for their own research. In this way students are equipped to examine the consistencies or otherwise between their research questions, their own paradigmatic dispositions and those of theorists that guide their work.

This chapter describes the similarities and differences between management and military science. The description is focused on the notion that is strategic for management, namely – the organization culture. Military science shares many common elements with management science. It is the organization culture that may decide about both the performance of an organization and the result of a military conflict.