Why can enacting wellbeing in organisations backfire? A critical realist paradox perspective.

The enactment of wellbeing initiatives in organisations has flourished, but scholars have suggested that there may be problematic assumptions and practices, potentially leading to scepticism, cynicism and unintended effects. Our essay contributes an overview of the existing critical perspectives concerning wellbeing. It also argues that a critical realist philosophical lens, intertwined with paradox theory, could inform a more transformative process of critique. We highlight how researchers can utilise evidence of paradox to propose the extent to which parasitic (structural, cultural, or agential) mechanisms are potentially thwarting what may be largely good underlying intentions regarding the enactment of wellbeing. A construct called authentic ‘right’ action is introduced, and this is placed in an interplay with parasitic mechanisms. Our essay contributes a new discourse and theoretical/methodological approach to critical wellbeing research.