Psychological knowledge for the governance of the South

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve a critical understanding of the place of psychological knowledge with regard to the international regulation of the world of work. Specifically, it seeks to explore the place and operations of psychology involved in the constitution of workers as subjects in countries that do not produce this knowledge but appropriate, adapt and hybridise it.

Design/methodology/approach

The transition from a “traditional” passengers transport system to a “rapid bus service” named Transmilenio is considered as a “local” focus of analysis. Working conditions and some psychological practices established in a multi‐site ethnographic study conducted within the transport system are considered to illustrate ways in which psychological knowledge contributes to the production of drivers as subjects, and to perpetuate the relationships of international subordination.

Findings

The paper establishes the particular transformations that, in terms of working conditions, frame the application of psychological knowledge. It also shows how psychological practices applied in different types of transport companies are connected to produce “traditional” workers as “the other” which has to be transformed. Finally, the psychological practices are linked to some of the global flows which aim to produce a global management at a distance”.

Originality/value

Even though work psychology is a source of inspiration for management techniques, there is not much research related to the local‐global implications of its practices. Thus, this paper contributes to the understanding of the ways in which North‐Atlantic psychology operates when it is applied to work settings located in the South.

Citation

Camilo Pulido‐Martinez, H. (2010), "Psychological knowledge for the governance of the South", Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 6 No. 2/3, pp. 177-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/17422041011049987