An important book raising the often-unspoken ontologies of historical work in the realm of business and organizations. From questioning the chronological nature of historical narrative and its implied causalities to tracing the innovations in employing historical approaches in business management since the millennium, this collection of chapters offers insights into the practical and fundamental way in which philosophical considerations matter to research.

—Stephanie Decker, Professor at University of Birmingham

As soon as we go beyond the borders of our present and begin to explore remote pasts and futures, management and organization scholars are exposed to two dangers. The first is the exaggeration of continuities and anachronism about the past. The second is the projection of present ordinariness into the future. So how can we describe long-term processes of entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing, finance, information systems or innovation? This edited volume gathers a team of leading interdisciplinary scholars inspired by process philosophy, phenomenologies, and critical schools. After presenting issues, debates, and perspectives likely to inspire and guide historical description, several examples of historical work in entrepreneurship, accounting, and organization studies are used to show situations in which researchers have had to tackle this resonance between ontology and methodology in their historiography. It will be of great interest to scholars and students of management and organization studies.

François-Xavier de Vaujany is Professor of Organization Studies at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL (DRM), France. His research focuses on the societal and political dimensions of work organization and its management from the 1930s to the present, in particular in the US and the French contexts.

Kätlin Pulk is an Associate Professor of Organization Theory at Estonian Business School, Estonia. Her research focuses on time and temporality in organizations and in organizing, organizational change, outsourcing, backsourcing, innovation, commitment, continuity and an event-based view of time.

Pierre Labardin is a Professor at La Rochelle University, France. He specializes in accounting and management control history. He is a founding member and, from 2021 to 2023, President of AHMO, the French Business History Association.

“This thought-provoking book is an essential contribution to the ‘historical turn’ in organization studies. It challenges readers to engage deeply with critical questions such as: How does the past influence the present and future of organizational phenomena? Should we prioritize turning points, everyday events, or processes when studying organizational history? What significance should be given to what did not happen--absences, failures, and silences? Through illustrative examples, the authors also expand the discussion about the sources and methods that can be used and the different (often competing) schools and approaches, with their underlying ontological and epistemological assumptions.” (Daniel Arenas, Professor at ESADE, Universitat Ramon Llull)

“An important book raising the often-unspoken ontologies of historical work in the realm of business and organizations. From questioning the chronological nature of historical narrative and its implied causalities to tracing the innovations in employing historical approaches in business management since the millennium, this collection of chapters offers insights into the practical and fundamental way in which philosophical considerations matter to research.” (Stephanie Decker, Professor at University of Birmingham)

“This book is a wonderful addition to the current studies about how we study the past in and around organizations. The editors and authors explore key questions about theoretical and methodological connections between the past, present and future to present a stronger understanding of historicity and organization studies. The fresh perspective within the book enhances and expands upon the continuing conversations about how history is constructed and presented and how this impacts the organizations we study. The book is required reading by any scholar interested in history and organizations.” (William M. Foster, professor at University of Alberta)

“This pioneering volume breaks new ground in the exploration of organizational studies by illuminating the often-neglected philosophical underpinnings of historical inquiry. By integrating ontological perspectives with insightful methodological approaches, the contributions of this book challenge traditional linear narratives and invite scholars to reimagine the interconnectedness of past and present. Drawing on the rich discussions from the 13th OAP workshop, this book offers a compelling examination of events and their complexities, urging readers to grapple with the nuances of historical context and the fragility of time. An essential resource for scholars and practitioners alike, this work inspires a deeper understanding of how historical consciousness shapes our organizational realities.” (Ignasi Marti, professor at ESADE, Universitat Ramon Llull)