How could innovation contribute to performative Critical Management Studies? Through an analysis of the literature, this theoretical article considers the tendency in performative Critical Management Studies (CMS) to not put innovation forward. This ‘absence’ is surprising given that performative CMS are currently struggling with their implementation. My analysis details how performative CMS and innovation may share a project of practical engagement with the world to bring about change, and it considers seminal works that have highlighted the possible usefulness, for performative CMS, of innovative organizational practices. I present two possible explanations (a strong association of innovation with the mainstream and the business world, and a possible tendency of the mainstream to reintegrate critically-oriented innovations) for this relative absence. In response, I introduce the concept of ‘critical innovation’ defined as innovation that is compatible with performative CMS. I also detail possible ‘components’ of critical innovation to operationalize it and consider its potential for performative CMS, before suggesting a research agenda on the concept. Overall, I argue that innovation has an untapped potential for performative CMS. Thus, my article contributes to the literature on performative CMS as it offers a possibly fruitful way to implement it in the face of the many challenges that are involved when doing performative CMS.
