Symbols as a language of organizational relationships

被引:54
作者
Pratt, MG [1 ]
Rafaeli, A
机构
[1] Univ Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
[2] Technion Israel Inst Technol, IL-32000 Haifa, Israel
来源
RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, VOL 23 | 2001年 / 23卷
关键词
D O I
10.1016/S0191-3085(01)23004-4
中图分类号
C [社会科学总论];
学科分类号
03 ; 0303 ;
摘要
We view physical symbols as a rich, potent, non-verbal language that is uniquely suited for enacting relationship issues within organizations. Like verbal language, physical symbols have accepted elements and structure (e.g. grammar), and both influence and are influenced by social construction processes. We apply this 'physical symbols as language' perspective to modern organizations, and argue that recent trends, such as increasing diversity and empowerment, result in changes in relationships between individuals and organizations. We further argue that these relationship changes alter both the type (e.g. more portable and instrumental), and use of physical symbols in the work-place. Specifically, we suggest that the accessibility and flexibility of a physical symbol language offers individuals and organizations a powerful medium with which to represent and negotiate new and complex identity and status relationships. Viewing physical symbols as a language provides students of organizations a vehicle for examining these changing relationships, and offers a framework for how symbol language miscommunications can be identified and overcome.
引用
收藏
页码:93 / 132
页数:40
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