Traduttore, traditore? Gains and losses from the translation of the economies of worth

Abstract

The economies of worth, a theory of moral cognition and coordination by sociologist Luc Boltanski and economist Laurent Thévenot, are increasingly used in organization and management studies. We critically review a broad selection of this literature to assess what has been gained from the interdisciplinary translations of the original theory. We identify in the literature multiple patterns that contribute from different angles to a consistent set of concepts for research at the intersection of organizations, socio-technological change, and morality. We also indicate theoretical and methodological developments that would further enrich these gains.