Bureaucracy Re-Enchanted? Spirit, Experts and Authority in Organizations

Abstract

Bureaucracy is challenged and examined from almost all quarters in organizational analysis. As part of wide debate over postmodern cultural theorizations there is now much debate over the viability and retention of bureaucratic forms of organization. It is often argued that bureaucracies have been displaced by more rapid-response entrepreneurial and strategic configurations. Yet we can observe examples of bureaucracy that deliberately select, repress, discard or restore elements of bureaucratic norms and values. This article proposes that there is emergent evidence of a raft of new activities occurring in contemporary bureaucratic organizations, which challenge our conceptions of bureaucratic organization. The article draws attention to some unconventional practices, many of which involve the invocation of alternative sources of authority and legitimacy. It raises questions for the implications of an apparently counter-rational, counter-bureaucratic, re-enchantment impulse. The analytic, interpretive exploration of these questions draws bureaucratic organization back into society and social analysis.

Philosophical Foundations of Workplace Spirituality: A Critical Approach

“…It is an undeniable reality that workplace spirituality is a construct widely discussed over the last few decades (Bell and Taylor, 2004;Casey, 2004;Driver, 2005;Duchon and Ashmos, 2005;Fry, 2003;Hicks, 2003;Krishnakumar and Neck, 2002;Lips-Wiersma, 2003;Lips-Wiersma and Mills, 2002;LundDean et al, 2003;Tischler, 1999), gaining the interest of both scholars and practitioners (Hicks, 2003;Kinjierski and Skrypnek, 2004;Krishnakumar and Neck, 2002). Within the framework of this discourse, it has been attempted to relate workplace spirituality to a wide variety of organisational functions and practices.…”

The shock of the new? Democratic narratives and political agency

“…This arguably puts the rigid, bureaucratised practices of 'protest businesses' in a more positive light and challenges the all-to-easy assumption that 'bureaucracy' is synonymous with elitist hierarchies and loss of character. On the contrary, one can argue that the basic principles of bureaucracy Á rationality, regulation, specialised roles and tasks, auditing Á remain crucial to keep the myriad practical matters of any organisation routinely running (Casey 2004). As Kallinicos (2003) notes, bureaucracy is often identified with Fordism, Taylorism or worse, Orwellian images of 'Big Brother' and the loss of identity in the face of tyrannical rule.…”

Unmasking the face of hospitality: A postfoundational approach to a new spirituality of hospitality

“…Since the beginning of the new millennium, the concept of workplace spirituality has received a great deal of attention in several research papers (Bell &Taylor 2004;Casey 2004;Driver 2005;Duchon & Plowman 2005;Fornaciari & Dean 2001;Fry 2003;Harter & Buzzanell 2007;Hicks 2003;Krishnakumar & Neck 2002;Lips-Wiersma 2003;Neal & Biberman 2003;Sass 2000). Gotsis and Kortezi (2008:576) argue that the increased interest in workplace spirituality could be due to people's individual pursuit of higher purpose and meaning making.…”