Critical discourse analysis: At the intersection of sociology and historiography

The historic turn in organization studies is now consolidated. Nevertheless, it remains questioned whether it is possible and desirable to put together sociological theory and history. In this paper we review possible uses of the past by defining what we classify as ‘time studies' in management and organization. We argue that in this specific field of interest, we can and should embed sociological theory into accounts of the past. We then move to historical work in management and organization. In this case we argue that a seamless collaboration between history and theory is possible although more difficult and occurred less frequently. Introducing critical discourse analysis, we argue that in some cases, the presence of sociological theory is not only possible but necessary to make sense of historical data and to let archives ‘speak’correctly. We do so with a case study – through historical research - into early modern Venice and its secret service. We theorise, through a Foucauldian framework, a constituting of disciplinary regime through which members, prior to the modern period, regulated their selfidentities. We conclude with the implications of such enquiry to organization studies and provide reflections for furthering critically radical studies of the past.