Critical theory: 15 years later

Purpose ? The pupose of this paper is to explore the role of criticism in the growth of academic communities and their organizational transformations. Design/methodology/approach ? Through a comparison between the Frankfurter School of critical thought with contemporary critical management studies, possible routes for further development of the latter are explored. Findings ? The cognitive turn in behavioural sciences and the bureaucratic professionalization of knowledge-intensive occupations are a serious threat to the possible development of critical management studies. Practical implications ? By focussing on implications of the Frankfurter School of social thought, critical management studies can establish itself as a more profound and fundamental form of research within social sciences. Originality/value ? The goal is to make the Frankfurter School a salonfõhig discourse for managerial establishments.