Engaging with a Laclau & Mouffe informed discourse analysis: a proposed framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical method through which a political analysis of intra and inter-organizational conflicts may be conducted. Design/methodology/approach – The iterative method of data analysis the paper presents is based on a consolidation of work using Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory across both management and organization and social science disciplinary domains. Findings – While the politically orientated discourse theory of Laclau and Mouffe has begun to be used by management and organization researchers, little guidance is available for how to actually conduct the analysis of data using this discourse approach. The method the paper proposes involves making explicit an analytical process for reading available textual data. Originality/value – The value of this paper is primarily for management and organization researchers who are attracted to discourse theory but feel intimidated or confused about how to operationalize this theory into data analytic practice.