Anthropology of organizations
By: edited by Susan Wright.
Contributors: Wright, Susan, 1951-
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 1994
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 217
Subjects: Business anthropology.; Corporate culture.; Associations, institutions, etc.
Description: Changing 'organizational culture' is a major preoccupation in both the public and the private sectors. Anthropology of Organizations critically examines 'the culture concept' from an anthropological perspective. For the first time, this volume brings together anthropological studies of the complex ways people make and contest meanings in organizational settings. Covering topics across the First and Third Worlds, these studies raise theoretical issues about organizational culture, gender and power, whilst also being concerned with policy and practice.

The contributors to this book argue that in the 1990s our aim should be to build institutions which empower those hitherto excluded from decision making. Three aspects are identified. First, the concept of 'indigenous management' questions the appropriateness of bureaucratic models and universal management systems - seeking instead ways of connecting with indigenous styles of organizing. Second, case studies from government, private companies and a union explain the embededdness of gender relations, and show how - despite widespread change - inequalities persist. Finally the contributors analyse attempts to reform clients' relations with state institutions. A grasp of large scale bureaucratic structures, detailed ethnography of interactions, and analysis of symbols and conceptual processes, make these studies a powerful demonstration of the important contribution to be made by anthropologists in the field of organizational studies.

Displaying the value of the anthropological approach in evaluating exactly who is empowered by changing organizational 'culture', Anthropology of Organizations will appeal to all students and teachers of social anthropology, management and business studies, and to professional managers in many spheres.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.