The Means of Management Control and Labour Process Theory: A Critical Note on Storey

Abstract

John Storey has criticised the labour process literature for its `monist' presumptions; that is, for developing simple generalisations which cannot deal with the diversity and complexity of social control processes within work organisations. His argument is weak in three ways. First, he misrepresents the labour process literature by treating it as homogeneous. Monism may be a valid criticism of Braverman, but it is not a valid criticism of certain later labour process writers Storey names. Second, many aspects of his `positive' contribution, which he suggests should take the place of monist presumptions, are easily taken into account within the management strategies variant of labour process theory. Finally, his alternative formulation, the means of management control, has serious flaws.