Jerzy Kociatkiewicz and Monika Kostera
The purpose of this paper is to consider three types of stories: media, personal accounts and fiction, and look for plots depicting situations of fundamental shift in the framing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider three types of stories: media, personal accounts and fiction, and look for plots depicting situations of fundamental shift in the framing and basic definitions of reality. The authors examine them from the point of view of their usefulness for developing creative responses to systemic change.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a narrative study in three stages, aimed at identifying strong plots pertaining to systemic change. The analyzed material came from three different sources of narratives (fiction, media and creative stories) and was approached by the use of two different narrative methods: symbolic interpretation and narrative collage.
Findings
Currently many voices are being raised that the authors are living in times of interregnum, a period in between working systems. There is also a mounting critique of the business school as an institution perpetuating dysfunctional ideologies, rather than enhancing critical and creative thinking. The authors propose that the humanities, and, in particular, learning from fiction (and science fiction) can offer a language to talk about major (systemic) change help and support learning about alternative organizational realities.
Research limitations/implications
The study pertains to discourse and narratives, not to material aspects of culture construction.
Practical implications
Today, there is a mounting critique of business schools and their role in society. Following Martin Parker’s call to transform them into schools of organizing, helping to develop and discuss different alternatives instead of reproducing the dominant model, the authors suggest that education should be based, to much larger extent than until now, on the humanities. The authors propose educational programmes including the study of fiction and film.
Social implications
The authors propose that the humanities (and the study of fiction) can equip society with a suitable language to discuss and problematize systemic change.
Originality/value
This paper adds to narrative social studies through providing an analysis of strong plots showing ways of coping with systemic collapse, and through an examination of these plots’ significance for organizational education, learning, and planning. The authors present an argument for the broader use of fiction as a sensemaking, teaching, and learning tool for managing organizations in volatile environments.
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Monika Kostera and Krzysztof Obłój
The purpose of this paper is to show how managers of Polish local radio stations construct their organizations in terms of archetypes of rivalry as a response to perceived changes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how managers of Polish local radio stations construct their organizations in terms of archetypes of rivalry as a response to perceived changes in the environment.
Design/methodology/approach
First the central notions are explained, such as market, competition, archetype, and then the findings from a prolonged empirical study are presented.
Findings
Environmental change is seen as the plot on the managers' narratives, whereas the chosen archetypes of rivalry – as characters in those stories – are supposed to handle the changes.
Originality/value
The paper explores some aspects of the narrative construction of environmental change.
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Dorota Dobosz‐Bourne and Monika Kostera
The purpose of this paper is to present the model of the translation of particularly important ideas for the organization and its context, called mythical ideas.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the model of the translation of particularly important ideas for the organization and its context, called mythical ideas.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on ethnographic research.
Findings
It is found that change processes based on mythical ideas are especially dynamic but also very vulnerable. The consequences of failure can be vital for the organization and its environment.
Originality/value
The paper explores the outcomes to which the translation of a mythical idea can lead. The findings are of value for people involved in organizational change processes.
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– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the origins of CPoIB and on events in the IB sphere over the decade since it was conceived.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the origins of CPoIB and on events in the IB sphere over the decade since it was conceived.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach of the paper is one of personal critical reflection on events and their implications for the full range of involved and affected parties, informed by Aristotelian philosophy.
Findings
The author posits the need for a new generation of “academic activists” in support of a humanistic management manifesto.
Originality/value
The paper reinforces the philosophy of CPoIB and the need for its continuing growth and development.