Abstract
The theme of this essay is how to engage with unconscious dynamics in our analysis of institutions. The essay clarifies the ways in which the unconscious influences institutional structures and organizational practices, and this is the main theoretical contribution to organization studies. A conceptual framework is presented that can help scholars of organizations and institutions to deepen analysis and understanding of how people’s organizational lives can be shaped by dynamics that are beyond reason, as well as how such dynamics are embedded in social structures. The terms unconscious and institution are aligned to illustrate a new concept, ‘institutional illogics’. This refers to the structuring and unsettling effects of unconscious dynamics, particularly social defences and shared fantasies, on organizations and institutions. Examples from published, empirical papers are used to illustrate the value of the framework. The concept of illogics is intended to encourage balance alongside the influence of logics on institutional analysis.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 953-973 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Organization Studies |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 1 May 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2019 |
Keywords
- institutional analysis
- institutional illogics
- institutional logics
- the unconscious
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Strategy and Management
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
- Management of Technology and Innovation
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Institutional Illogics: The Unconscious and Institutional Analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
-
Russ Vince
- Strategy & Organisation
- Centre for Future of Work
- Management - Professor Emeritus
Person: Research & Teaching, Honorary / Visiting Staff