Lesson 10. Michel Foucault

Lesson 10: Michel FoucaultItalic text

HRM practices focus on the individual, who is an observable reality with an essential reality with an essential identity. HRM practices function to discover/uncover some essential knowledge about the individual to aid rational decision making. To Foucault (1977), the individual is not a “given” essential identity but is actively produced. For Foucault, Knowledge is POWER. The formation of individuality became the province of science. The objectification of the individual is done through what Foucault calls the examination. It is a system of marking and classifying, through the simple devise of question and answers provide the basis for judgment and measurement.

Assignment  “the flexible firm has long been advocated as the panacea for companies’ survival and strategic advantages.” Do you agree with this statement?