Misogyny and Organization Studies (McCarthy and Taylor, 2024)

Welcome to Revise and Resubmit. Today, we're diving into a compelling, thought-provoking topic that sits at the intersection of gender, power, and organizational theory. Our focus? An important research article titled "Misogyny and Organization Studies" by Lauren McCarthy and Scott Taylor, published in the FT50 journal Organization Studies on March 2024, by Sage. This episode tackles a concept that is often present but rarely spoken aloud in the world of work: misogyny. McCarthy and Taylor argue that we, as a community, must dare to name this systemic issue, as it offers a unique lens to understand how patriarchal power relations continue to shape not only our organizations but also the very theories we use to study them. They explore misogyny not as an isolated emotion, but as an "affective practice" that impacts individuals, organizations, and entire social structures. Through this framing, they present two vital ideas—organized and organizational misogyny—which help us understand the deeper forces at play in our workplaces and society. So, can naming misogyny help dismantle these entrenched forms of oppression and lead to meaningful change? Stay with us as we unpack their findings and challenge the comfort zone of organization studies. We want to extend our deepest thanks to the authors, Lauren McCarthy and Scott Taylor, and to Sage for publishing this groundbreaking work. Let's dare to ask: If we continue to avoid naming misogyny in organizations, what other forms of violence are we silently allowing to thrive? Reference McCarthy, L., & Taylor, S. (2024). Misogyny and organization studies. Organization Studies, 45(3), 457-473. https://doi.org/10.1177/01708406231213964