Evoking Metis: Questioning the logics of change, responsiveness, meaning and action in organizations

In this writing, the concept of ‘metis’ or ‘cunning intelligence’ will be explored in the context of organizational theory. The article begins with a genealogy (in the tradition of Hopfl, 1999) of the concept in classical Greek and contemporary theoretical sources, focusing on the juxtaposition between cunning intelligence and scientific rationality. It continues, evoking the experience of metis, with a rhetorical analysis of organizational change, meaning‐making, and responsiveness. Finally, a series of questions concerning the ethical value of metis for organizational theory and practice will be raised. The overall purpose of the theory‐building is to produce a greater understanding of the innovative and tactical power of metis, as well as to provoke further research concerning the ethical significance of the cunning form of intelligence, which enables people in organizations to ‘disguise or transform themselves in order to survive’ (: xi)