The social representation theory in Brazilian organizational studies: a bibliometric analysis from 2001 to 2014

Abstract

The social representation theory (SRT) proposed by Serge Moscovici in the 1960s has gone through a process of growth and expansion, and where once it was restricted to the field of social psychology, today it is utilized by various fields and areas of knowledge. This article aims to show the results of a bibliometric survey of the literature concerning the usage of SRT in the field of organizational studies (OS), during the period from 2001 to 2014. We've analyzed papers related to OS from scientific events organized by the Brazilian National Association of Graduate Programs in Administration (ANPAD) and Brazilian periodicals with A1, A2, and B1 ratings in the Qualis/CAPES database in the areas of Administration, Accounting, and Tourism. We've identified 90 articles, 67 of which were published in 7 scientific events (out of a total of 27 editions), and 23 were published in 6 periodicals. Out of this total, 83 have a theoretical and empirical nature, and only 7 are exclusively theoretical. This bibliometric survey has enabled us to ascertain that the use of SRT in OS is still incipient, and that, in the articles addressed, authors use SRT in a superficial manner, without exploring the potential of this theory for the understanding of social phenomena. In addition, we've managed to observe some theoretical and methodological inconsistencies concerning the use of SRT in the texts we've analyzed, especially in terms of mistaken approaches to representational objects, a reductionist adaptation of the concept of social representation (SR), and the use of SRT as a research method. In terms of future research, we point out the need for the evolution and maturation of SRT in OS, in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

Keywords:
Organizational Studies; Social Representation Theory; Social Representation.