Film analysis in management: a journey through the metaphors of the concept of leadership

Abstract

PurposeThe use of film language in management is an interesting method to understand the concept of leadership in the internal and external contexts of organizations, by means of metaphors. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the metaphors of leadership in a movie.Design/methodology/approachThis was a qualitative research, which used the strategy of film analysis and content analysis (Bardin, 2016). Data were collected by scene decoupage, registered in an observation protocol. In the field of management, there is a growing interest in film analysis for understanding organizations, from inside and outside, by using dynamic methodologies.FindingsThe use of metaphors in film analysis made it possible to interpret concepts, for a better understanding of organizations. The identified leaders, despite adopting different attitudes at work, reach a common goal, with gains for the community.Originality/valueThis article also contributes to reflect on the teaching–learning process of management research through different methodological dimensions.

Film Analysis in Management Research: Knowing Why and How to Use It

“…It is argued elsewhere that film analysis in the field of management leads to the possibility of looking metaphorically at organizations, educational institutions, and the existing relationships between the various agents therein (e.g., Leite, Nishimura, Silva, & Santos, 2021). As illustrated in Aoki and Santos (2020), the aim is then to maintain the inseparability between teaching, research, and extension through the creation or dissemination of knowledge, given the understanding that films or series share elements of real life.…”

Women and work: film analysis of Most Beautiful Thing

“…Such research strategy was also used in different articles belonging to the field of administration. These articles include topics related to competitive advantages and changing environments (Alvarenga, Leite, Freitas, & Ruas, 2017), mobbing through the analysis of the film The Devil Wears Prada (Medeiros, Valadão J unior & Possas, 2015), management instrumentalism through the analysis of the film Gattaca (Carmo, Silva, Teixeira, & Vasconcelos, 2018), and leadership and teamwork through the analysis of the film Chicken Run (Aoki & Santos, 2020).…”

Effectiveness of using feature films in organizational behavior education: an empirical investigation

“…(2018) described the process of using films to teach cross-cultural management in a flipped classroom setting. Aoki and dos Santos (2020) found that the use of films in teaching leadership in organizations was valuable. Scherer and Baker (1999, p. 143) used film as a core component of an organizational theory course and noted that “film provides a familiar attention-capturing visual medium to engage the student and encourage retention.” Smith (2009) and other scholars advocated the use of films as a primary instructional medium for teaching organizational behavior (e.g.…”