Metaphors 6-8

Psychic Prison Metaphor

Organizations trap individuals in socially constructed realities.

Plato's Cave

Metaphor illustrating limited perspectives and biases.

Traps of Favored Thinking

Clinging to outdated methods hinders new opportunities.

Icarus Paradox

Past strengths can become future weaknesses.

Groupthink

Consensus prioritization leads to poor decision-making.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Historical example of groupthink consequences.

Unconscious Processes

Hidden dynamics shape organizational behavior.

Freud's Theories

Repression influences organizational culture and dynamics.

Repressed Desires

Hidden thoughts affect organizational life and structures.

Scientific Management

Frederick Taylor's method emphasizing control and efficiency.

Patriarchal Family Influence

Hierarchical structures reflect male-dominated family values.

Fear of Death

Organizations create permanence to deny human mortality.

Anxiety in Organizations

Childhood experiences shape adult organizational behavior.

Defense Mechanisms

Childhood coping strategies influence group responses.

Narcissistic Corporate Culture

Admiration prioritized over genuine achievement.

Bureaucratic Structures

Control channels human energy in organizations.

Collaborative Organizations

Shift needed towards less hierarchical structures.

Mechanistic Manufacturing Models

Focus on error prevention creates organizational inefficiency.

Excessive Charisma

Leaders' charm can contribute to groupthink.

Self-Appointment

Individuals assume roles that reinforce groupthink.

Organizational Culture

Reflects deeper, often unconscious, dynamics within.

Transitional Objects

Objects helping employees cope with organizational change.

Resistance to Change

Attachment to old structures hinders adaptation.

The Shadow

Hidden qualities in organizations reflecting unconscious issues.

Archetypes

Universal symbols influencing organizational behavior and decision-making.

Carl Jung

Psychologist known for concepts of unconscious and archetypes.

Unconscious Forces

Hidden energies impacting leadership and organizational change.

Psychic Prison Metaphor

Concept revealing hidden meanings in organizational dysfunctions.

Strengths of Psychic Prison

Reveals dysfunctions and potential for transformation.

Limitations of Psychic Prison

Overemphasis on unconscious ignores material realities.

Flux and Transformation

Continuous and emergent nature of organizational change.

Unfolding Logics of Change

Philosophical perspectives on the nature of change.

Heraclitus's Philosophy

Change is constant; permanence exists within flux.

David Bohm's View

Universe as a flowing, unbroken whole of change.

Autopoiesis

Self-organization and identity maintenance in organizations.

Self-Referential Systems

Systems that create themselves through internal interactions.

Narcissism in Organizations

Egocentric focus hinders adaptation to environmental changes.

Shifting Attractors

Emergent patterns in complex systems due to chaos.

Chaos Theory

Study of unpredictable interactions in complex systems.

Emergent Patterns

New behaviors arising from complex system interactions.

Identity Reshaping

Adapting organizational identity while responding to change.

Environmental Responsiveness

Ability to adapt to external changes effectively.

Dysfunctional Practices

Behaviors that hinder organizational effectiveness and growth.

Attractors

Patterns systems are drawn to, shifting unexpectedly.

Bifurcation Points

Critical moments where a system's path changes dramatically.

Butterfly Effect

Small changes lead to large, unpredictable consequences.

Emergent Order

Order arises from chaos through self-organization.

Hierarchy and Control

Need reconsideration in complex management environments.

Self-Organization

Creating conditions for natural order without strict control.

Effective Strategy

Small, well-timed changes yield significant long-term effects.

Mutual Causality

Complex, circular interactions beyond linear cause-and-effect.

Feedback Loops

Interactions where outputs influence future inputs.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies changes, potentially leading to exponential growth.

Negative Feedback

Counteracts changes, stabilizing the system.

Tragedy of the Commons

Resource overuse leading to system collapse.

Dialectical Thinking

Change occurs through conflict of opposing forces.

Marx's Influence

Societal change arises from inherent contradictions.

Dialectical Change

Tensions between opposing forces drive transformation.

Negation of the Negation

New ideas emerge by overcoming old limitations.

Managerial Implications

Leaders must manage natural tensions for growth.

Flux and Transformation

Metaphor for organizations as dynamic, evolving systems.

Open vs Closed Systems

Organizations are influenced externally but maintain internal order.

Guiding Organizational Change

Focus on small actions creating new contexts.

Instruments of Domination

Organizations structured to serve elite interests.

Historical Context of Domination

Domination traces back to ancient societal structures.

Power Dynamics

Evolution from conscription to paid employment.

Asymmetrical Power Relations

Unequal power persists in modern corporations.

Max Weber

Sociologist known for social domination types.

Charismatic Domination

Leadership based on personal qualities.

Traditional Domination

Authority rooted in customs and traditions.

Rational-Legal Domination

Authority based on laws and procedures.

Bureaucracy

Organizational structure emphasizing rules and hierarchy.

Iron Law of Oligarchy

Democratic organizations tend toward elite rule.

Wage Labor

Shift from self-employment to paid work.

Division of Labor

Increased specialization leading to stricter supervision.

Primary Labor Market

Specialized, stable jobs in bureaucratic settings.

Secondary Labor Market

Low-skilled, low-paid jobs, often marginalized.

Labor Market Segmentation

Division of labor markets into primary and secondary.

Exploitation of Employees

Workers discarded when deemed unproductive.

Arthur Miller

Playwright illustrating workplace exploitation themes.

Workplace Hazards

Dangers present in various industries historically.

Asbestos Industry

Ignored health risks for profit.

Workplace Stress

Impact on physical and mental health.

Workaholism

Excessive work leading to personal imbalance.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Entities operating across multiple countries, influencing economies.

Transfer Pricing

Method to hide profits and evade taxes.

Domination Metaphor

Concept illustrating organizational inequalities and control.