Tracking 'the transnational': studying transnational organizations and managements, and the management of cohesion

This article argues for greater clarity in researching transnational organizations and management, and the need for gendered multi-level theory and gendered multi-actor analysis. It examines different understandings and conceptualizations of 'the transnational' in studying transnational organizations and management, and their implications for understanding and conceptualizing the 'management of cohesion'. In so doing, three conceptual and theoretical questions are considered: what are the major meanings of 'the transnational' in studying transnational organizations and management? What are the major different disciplinary frameworks in studying transnational organizations and management? What are the major epistemological debates in studying transnational organizations and management? Particular emphasis is placed on: the field of studies on transnational organizations and management; transnational research projects on transnational organizations and management; and the lives of transnational researchers. Two ongoing research projects - on gender relations in transnational organizations and managements, and men's changing organizational practices in Europe - are focused on to illustrate these issues. The theme of gender critique is developed throughout.