Discussion: View Thread

I am working on an organization theory book and would like to find
definitions of organization that epitomize the various metaphors identified
by Morgan in his book Images of Organization. The metaphors are
organizations as: machines, organisms, political systems, cultures, brains,
psychic prisons, and instruments of domination.

I am hoping to find a couple of definitions for each metaphor.

Any suggestions should be sent to my email address below.

My thanks.

David Jaffee
Dept of Sociology
SUNY-New Paltz
New Paltz, NY 12561
(914)257-3509
jaffeed@npvm.newpaltz.edu <mailto:jaffeed@npvm.newpaltz.edu>
jaffeed@msn.com <mailto:jaffeed@msn.com>
web page: http://www.newpaltz.edu/~jaffeed

I don't mean to be unhelpful or a smart arse but isn't David Jaffe's
request, as I read it, inconsistent with Morgan's position?

As I read Images of Organization, Gareth Morgan invites us to acquire a
range of metaphors for reading (all) organizations. He explicitly cautions
against the reductionism involved in the idea that certain organizations
epitomise certain metaphors :

`Metaphor uses evocative images to create what may be described as
"constructive falsehoods" which, if taken literally, or to an extreme,
become absurd' (Images, 2nd edition, p.4)

OK. I may have totally missed the point of the request. In which case, I
fall on my sword.

Hugh

Hugh Willmott

Home Page : http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/close/hr22/hcwhome

Web site for Critical Management Studies Conference 1999:

http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/close/hr22/cmsconference

OR

http://www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/ejrot/cmsconference/cmsdefault.htm
(This site includes copies of conference papers as they become available)

Web site for Association for Accountancy and Business Affairs:

http://visar.csustan.edu/aaba/aaba.htm

Hugh Willmott
Professor of Organizational Analysis
Manchester School of Management
UMIST
Manchester M60 1QD
United Kingdom

Tel : 0161 200 3412
Fax : 0161 200 3505
email : Hugh.Willmott@umist.ac.uk
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Date: 04 June 1999 05:53
Subject: MG-ED-DV Digest - 2 Jun 1999 to 3 Jun 1999 (#1999-148)