Organizing for powerlessness. A critical perspective on psychodynamics and dysfunctionality.

Abstract

Develops a critical perspective on organizations and psychoanalysis. Following a brief review of various strands of psychoanalytic theorizing about organizations, argues that psychoanalysis can make an important contribution both to recognizing and to restoring the human subject in the organization. However, psychoanalysis also runs the risk of becoming complicitous with the larger context of domination that structures and governs organizations, unless it explicitly acknowledges and incorporates this context. Discusses the importance of acknowledging relations of power, recognizing the normalization of dysfunctionality in organizations, and moving away from individualizing issues of emotion, resistance and control.

Citation

Kersten, A. (2001), "Organizing for powerlessness. A critical perspective on psychodynamics and dysfunctionality.", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 452-467. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005877