Beyond the control-resistance debate: A fresh look at experiences of work in the new economy

Purpose – The purpose of this short paper is to introduce the special issue and outline its major themes. Design/methodology/approach – The control-resistance literatures are described, and the necessity for field-led empirical accounts is amplified, as a precursor to introducing the contributions to this special issue. Findings – Forms of control co-mingle and the old imprints the new. Theories of control, resistance, agency and consent can most usefully be expanded by engaging with empirical accounts, resisting duality, and embracing multidimensionality. Originality/value – This paper offers a review of the state of debate about control and resistance within organisation studies, and calls for field-informed accounts and fresh perspectives.