The Concept of Ideology and Work Motivation

Abstract

Shamir (1991: 405) noted that 'current reviews of work-motivation theories are unanimous in their dissatisfaction with the state-of-the-art'. He concluded that existing theories offer an inadequate account of the impetus of employ ment and should be 'supplemented by a self-concept based theory of work motivation'. This paper suggests that the concept of ideology can provide a foundation for this kind of theory. First, it attempts to elucidate the explanatory power of the concept of ideology in the context of understanding the effective performance of organizational members. Second, it indicates how ideology can be shown to address the issues of organizational dynamism which Shamir found to be problematic. Third, it shows how the nature of ideologic, in con junction with the substance of ideological belief, offers an explanation of the variety to be found in organizational behaviour.

Motivation and identity: A psychoanalytic perspective on the turn to identity in motivation research

“…Specifically, the study examines how the discourse of motivation is drawn on and played with in a rich and complex manner to construct identities along a continuum from imaginary to symbolic responses (Vanheule et al, 2003). This not only underlines how motivation can be explored as a socially-constructed linguistic phenomenon (Carlisle and Manning, 1994), but also how important it is to appreciate the role of unconscious desire and fundamental lack (Leather, 1983). As such, the study provides new avenues for extending and integrating prior research.…”

“…Most recently, therefore, motivation has been explored as a linguistic, subjective and socially-constructed phenomenon that can account for more complex understandings of subjectivity (Carlisle and Manning, 1994;Cullen, 1997;Johnson, Chang and Yang, 2010;Kanfer and Ackerman, 2004;Leonard, et al, 1999). In particular, there has been a focus on "self-based theories" (Leonard et al, 1999: 973) and the idea that individuals are motivated to the extent they feel work allows them to construct a desired identity (Shamir, 1991).…”

Ideology in Management Studies

“…Barley and Kunda (1992); Carlisle and Manning (1994); Cobb et al (2001); Linstead and Grafton-Small (1992) Critique of 'ideologically mystifying legitimations' (Habermas 1970a, p. 87) whereby 'social interests still determine the direction, functions, and pace of technical progress' (Habermas 1970a, p. 105 (2007); Fleming and Spicer (2003); Lennerfors and Sköld (2009) as the following discussion will argue, there is reason to suggest that it should and could develop further. Barley and Kunda (1992); Carlisle and Manning (1994); Cobb et al (2001); Linstead and Grafton-Small (1992) Critique of 'ideologically mystifying legitimations' (Habermas 1970a, p. 87) whereby 'social interests still determine the direction, functions, and pace of technical progress' (Habermas 1970a, p. 105 (2007); Fleming and Spicer (2003); Lennerfors and Sköld (2009) as the following discussion will argue, there is reason to suggest that it should and could develop further.…”

“…practices and ideas. Barley and Kunda (1992); Carlisle and Manning (1994); Cobb et al (2001); Linstead and Grafton-Small (1992) (Continued) Critique of 'ideologically mystifying legitimations' (Habermas 1970a, p. 87) whereby 'social interests still determine the direction, functions, and pace of technical progress' (Habermas 1970a, p. 105 as the following discussion will argue, there is reason to suggest that it should and could develop further.…”

“…Seeck et al Related to this shift was the wider development of critical management studies (CMS). Although we explore this tradition further in relation to ideology as an object of critique below, the works of Brown (1978), Carlisle and Manning (1994), Cobb et al (2001), Grusky (1962) and Rosen (1984) are worth noting within the categorization of ideology as domination over five decades. These scholars point to the economic, political and cultural forces through which ideas supporting management (and patriarchy) are diffused, established and contested.…”