Misrepresentation of Marginalized Groups: A Critique of Epistemic Neocolonialism

Abstract I argue that meta-ignorance and meta-insensitivity are the key sources influencing reoccurrence of (un)conscious misrepresentation marginalized groups in management organization research; such misrepresentation, effect, perpetuates epistemic neocolonialism. Meta-ignorance describes incorrect attitudes, which render researchers ignorant about issues as contextual history emotional political aspects a social problem. Researcher can be permanent feature, given how define, locate, make use their positionality privilege. In contrast, is special issue arises when miss multiple opportunities to capture valuable groups’ voices or life experiences expectations. The problem during fieldwork more serious because researchers—despite apparent willingness innovative—fail understand sensitive toward groups. perpetuation these elements’ contributes long-lasting negative consequences for To counter this, introduce conceptualize idea oppositional views mobilize address challenge