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 salonfähig discourse for managerial establishments.