The Management of Poverty and the Poverty of Management

Since the turn of the century, management studies have undergone a 'poverty turn', focusing on strategies to reduce global poverty by improving poor people's access to markets. This approach highlights the role of management theory and doctrine in advancing capitalism and is situated within a global development paradigm that retains colonialist underpinnings. I will discuss four primary modes of marketization that are central to this shift: commodification of the commons, market development, fetishization of entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. These strategies derive their legitimacy from a superficial analysis of the root causes of poverty and ultimately reinforce the structural dependency of marginalised countries. These systemic barriers undermine meaningful poverty reduction and underscore the need for alternatives that go beyond rhetorical solutions to promote genuine organisational and societal reforms capable of tackling global poverty.

Daniel Lacerda is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of People and Organizations at MBS School of Business in France. He holds a PhD in Organisation Studies from Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on tackling poverty and inequality both within and beyond organizations. Daniel’s work explores the development of marginalized territories, such as favelas, and the transformation of higher education.