Carved in Stone: Discursive Pragmatism and the Dabbawala Discourse

Abstract

The study examines the discourse that has been generated around the Dabbawalas’ processes, their reception, assessment and applicability. The questions that this study raises are: Is the discourse generated around the dabbawala more outcome-based rather than process-based? How deep can we go with the analysis of metaphors, symbols and motifs in the Varkari tradition; to reconstruct this discourse and use this to visualize an efficiently functioning system in its broader context, and also view it as a directional and rejuvenating device for organizations? This critique is enabled by discursive pragmatism and semiotic enquiry. The study also situates these questions in the broader debate on anti-performativity in Critical Management Studies. It moves towards “critical performativity” through illustrative “micro-emancipations”(Spicer, Alvesson and Kärreman, 2009) in business discourse.