A house of mirrors: administration and reality

Abstract

This essay explores a possible anti-essentialist strategy for public administration. The argument presented is twofold. First, the concepts of objective, socially constructed, and experienced reality are explored, concluding that experienced reality is the most practical for public administration. Second, the use of cognitive dissonance to create discourse is proposed as a strategic approach. The essay also suggests that experienced reality and cognitive dissonance offer a way to finesse the control/domination problematic. The work of Michel Foucault provides the central organization of the essay, and the theories of Taylor and Follett are used as historical examples. The essay concludes with a proposed application of the strategic use of cognitive dissonance

Citation

Cawley, R.M. (2009), "A house of mirrors: administration and reality", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 88-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-12-01-2009-B005