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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Mairi Maclean, Professor Charles Harvey
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This article develops a new perspective on reflexive practice in the making of elite business careers. It builds upon Bourdieu's practice framework to examine how business leaders from elite and non-elite backgrounds develop and practice reflexivity in their everyday lives. The article draws upon in-depth life-history interviews with members of the British business elite. Elites exhibited five types of reflexive behaviour, from which two modes of reflexive practice were derived: an accumulative mode, through which business leaders reflexively accumulate capital, positions and perspectives; and a re-constructive mode, through which they re-constitute the self in response to contingences, contexts and insights gathered. Our analysis suggests a link between reflexivity and career advancement, particularly in the case of non-privileged elites. Their greater experience of navigating the social landscape may facilitate perspective-taking, enhancing multipositionality, enabling such individuals to seize opportunities previously unthinkable.
Author(s): Maclean M, Harvey C, Chia R
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Management Learning
Year: 2012
Volume: 43
Issue: 4
Pages: 385-404
Print publication date: 20/06/2012
ISSN (print): 1350-5076
ISSN (electronic): 1461-7307
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1350507612449680
DOI: 10.1177/1350507612449680
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