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Invitational discourse: towards a spirituality of communication

Ralph Bathurst (Department of Management, College of Business, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand)
Chris Galloway (Department of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, College of Business, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand)

Social Responsibility Journal

ISSN: 1747-1117

Article publication date: 4 June 2018

300

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore invitational discourse as a modality underpinning socially responsible enterprises seeking to become spiritually alert. This is carried out by focussing on a rich symbolic environment within which organizations operate.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper explores a fifteenth-century icon from the Russian Orthodox tradition to demonstrate how organizations might move from silo-based communication strategies to create open environments where information is shared. A case study of the global organization in crisis, the dairy cooperative Fonterra, is used as a case study.

Findings

Where organizations become invitational and go beyond blame to develop the two fundamental ethical qualities of forgiveness and generosity, they become more socially responsible.

Originality/value

The study takes a well-known artefact within one tradition and appropriates for a discussion about contemporary organizations as they seek to become more holistic and spiritually alert.

Keywords

Citation

Bathurst, R. and Galloway, C. (2018), "Invitational discourse: towards a spirituality of communication", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 336-350. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-05-2016-0089

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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