This note concerns the creative potential of tropes in the process of analogical reasoning. We fi... more This note concerns the creative potential of tropes in the process of analogical reasoning. We first suggest that metaphors (including metonymy and synecdoche) operate within the "cognitive comfort zone" of similarity. Thus, analogically, they are best seen as a means of ...
Dialogue is often seen as the process by which the gap between individual and organisational lear... more Dialogue is often seen as the process by which the gap between individual and organisational learning is bridged. Here we explore how the enactment of a discursive epistemology - involving the social construction of a dramatised narrative - can be used to generate insights into organisational learning. Using extracts taken from the transcripts of 90 hours of tape-recorded dialogue, we
... Through what he calls a fantasy theme analysis, he deconstructs the text of Senge&#x2... more ... Through what he calls a fantasy theme analysis, he deconstructs the text of Senge's published output in an attempt to identify the complex of discursive resources mobilized by a successfulmanagement guru to create a vision with which others can identify. ...
In this article we argue that, to date, the knowledge management literature has insufficiently ad... more In this article we argue that, to date, the knowledge management literature has insufficiently addressed the construct of power. The power literature is reviewed using three categories: power-as-entity, power-as-strategy and power-is-knowledge. We find that much of the knowledge management literature, while not directly addressing power, aspires to the dictum "knowledge is power", which corresponds to the power-as-entity approach. Drawing on the work of Foucault we go on to show that, while the power-as-entity approach is important, it is not sufficient. Foucault's work demonstrates how our understanding of knowledge management can be enriched by adopting a power-as-strategy approach. Further, the work of post-Foucauldian power theorists, especially Flyvbjerg (1998), shows that while knowledge is power, "power is also knowledge" - and thus the nature and context of power shapes organizational knowledge. We argue that Foucault's inseparability of knowled...
'The study of organizational discourse, and the way it shapes our habits of thought, by legi... more 'The study of organizational discourse, and the way it shapes our habits of thought, by legitimizing particular objects of knowledge and influencing our epistemological preferences, is crucial for a deeper appreciation of the underlying motivational forces ...
Although organizational change involves a complex set of communicative and language-based process... more Although organizational change involves a complex set of communicative and language-based processes, discourse-based approaches for understanding and managing change dynamics have been relatively underutilized by researchers and practitioners. To help address this situation, this article advances an analytic framework for explaining how discourse and organizational change are mutually implicated. Drawing on the research literature, the constructive, multilevel, conversational, political, reflexive,
ABSTRACT This article argues that a leader’s narrative and storytelling skills play a critical ro... more ABSTRACT This article argues that a leader’s narrative and storytelling skills play a critical role in constructing their charismatic identity. In line with Goffman’s (1959) observations, we argue that these skills are effected through ‘stage management’: a segregation between back and front ‘performing regions’ that serves to minimise potential incursions, leaks, disruptions and faux pas that may undermine the leader’s performance. Further, we suggest that Burke’s (1966) observations in relation to the importance of scene setting offer important insights into the impact of leader storytelling and narrative on followers. We revise and extend Gardner and Avolio’s (1998) dramaturgical model of the charismatic relationship in order to reflect these observations, and go on to apply this model to an analysis of three public performances by a case-study leader — Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. We examine Jobs’ performances as discursive texts, exploring the ways in which he uses them, through stage management, to practice narrative and storytelling and explore how, through these discursive activities, he is able to define himself and his world for his followers. In doing so, we empirically demonstrate and extend the utility of the dramaturgical metaphor to the study of charismatic leadership.
ABSTRACT In their recent Human Relations article and subsequent rejoinder to three commentators, ... more ABSTRACT In their recent Human Relations article and subsequent rejoinder to three commentators, Alvesson and Kärreman make a number of assertions concerning the development of organizational discourse analysis and the current state of research in this area. We believe their emphasis on provocation results in an unsatisfactory problematization of discourse-based work with the result that there are significant problems with both their analysis of the literature and their solutions to the shortcomings that they believe exist. We discuss a number of reasons why we believe that readers should be wary of what they read about organizational discourse analysis in Alvesson and Kärreman’s work. Drawing on our critique of their article and rejoinder, we propose some ideas that we believe will be more useful in developing studies of organizational discourse than those put forward by these authors.
The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1999
Abstract This article argues that employee expectations play an important role in the formulation... more Abstract This article argues that employee expectations play an important role in the formulation of the psychological contract under HRM. It goes on to suggest that a key feature of the psychological contract and the expectations that it encompasses is the way in which the expectations ...
This note concerns the creative potential of tropes in the process of analogical reasoning. We fi... more This note concerns the creative potential of tropes in the process of analogical reasoning. We first suggest that metaphors (including metonymy and synecdoche) operate within the "cognitive comfort zone" of similarity. Thus, analogically, they are best seen as a means of ...
Dialogue is often seen as the process by which the gap between individual and organisational lear... more Dialogue is often seen as the process by which the gap between individual and organisational learning is bridged. Here we explore how the enactment of a discursive epistemology - involving the social construction of a dramatised narrative - can be used to generate insights into organisational learning. Using extracts taken from the transcripts of 90 hours of tape-recorded dialogue, we
... Through what he calls a fantasy theme analysis, he deconstructs the text of Senge&#x2... more ... Through what he calls a fantasy theme analysis, he deconstructs the text of Senge's published output in an attempt to identify the complex of discursive resources mobilized by a successfulmanagement guru to create a vision with which others can identify. ...
In this article we argue that, to date, the knowledge management literature has insufficiently ad... more In this article we argue that, to date, the knowledge management literature has insufficiently addressed the construct of power. The power literature is reviewed using three categories: power-as-entity, power-as-strategy and power-is-knowledge. We find that much of the knowledge management literature, while not directly addressing power, aspires to the dictum "knowledge is power", which corresponds to the power-as-entity approach. Drawing on the work of Foucault we go on to show that, while the power-as-entity approach is important, it is not sufficient. Foucault's work demonstrates how our understanding of knowledge management can be enriched by adopting a power-as-strategy approach. Further, the work of post-Foucauldian power theorists, especially Flyvbjerg (1998), shows that while knowledge is power, "power is also knowledge" - and thus the nature and context of power shapes organizational knowledge. We argue that Foucault's inseparability of knowled...
'The study of organizational discourse, and the way it shapes our habits of thought, by legi... more 'The study of organizational discourse, and the way it shapes our habits of thought, by legitimizing particular objects of knowledge and influencing our epistemological preferences, is crucial for a deeper appreciation of the underlying motivational forces ...
Although organizational change involves a complex set of communicative and language-based process... more Although organizational change involves a complex set of communicative and language-based processes, discourse-based approaches for understanding and managing change dynamics have been relatively underutilized by researchers and practitioners. To help address this situation, this article advances an analytic framework for explaining how discourse and organizational change are mutually implicated. Drawing on the research literature, the constructive, multilevel, conversational, political, reflexive,
ABSTRACT This article argues that a leader’s narrative and storytelling skills play a critical ro... more ABSTRACT This article argues that a leader’s narrative and storytelling skills play a critical role in constructing their charismatic identity. In line with Goffman’s (1959) observations, we argue that these skills are effected through ‘stage management’: a segregation between back and front ‘performing regions’ that serves to minimise potential incursions, leaks, disruptions and faux pas that may undermine the leader’s performance. Further, we suggest that Burke’s (1966) observations in relation to the importance of scene setting offer important insights into the impact of leader storytelling and narrative on followers. We revise and extend Gardner and Avolio’s (1998) dramaturgical model of the charismatic relationship in order to reflect these observations, and go on to apply this model to an analysis of three public performances by a case-study leader — Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. We examine Jobs’ performances as discursive texts, exploring the ways in which he uses them, through stage management, to practice narrative and storytelling and explore how, through these discursive activities, he is able to define himself and his world for his followers. In doing so, we empirically demonstrate and extend the utility of the dramaturgical metaphor to the study of charismatic leadership.
ABSTRACT In their recent Human Relations article and subsequent rejoinder to three commentators, ... more ABSTRACT In their recent Human Relations article and subsequent rejoinder to three commentators, Alvesson and Kärreman make a number of assertions concerning the development of organizational discourse analysis and the current state of research in this area. We believe their emphasis on provocation results in an unsatisfactory problematization of discourse-based work with the result that there are significant problems with both their analysis of the literature and their solutions to the shortcomings that they believe exist. We discuss a number of reasons why we believe that readers should be wary of what they read about organizational discourse analysis in Alvesson and Kärreman’s work. Drawing on our critique of their article and rejoinder, we propose some ideas that we believe will be more useful in developing studies of organizational discourse than those put forward by these authors.
The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1999
Abstract This article argues that employee expectations play an important role in the formulation... more Abstract This article argues that employee expectations play an important role in the formulation of the psychological contract under HRM. It goes on to suggest that a key feature of the psychological contract and the expectations that it encompasses is the way in which the expectations ...
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Papers by David Grant