Management consultant talk:: A cross-cultural comparison of normalizing discourse and resistance

被引:118
作者
Meriläinen, S
Tienari, J
Thomas, R
Davies, A
机构
[1] Helsinki Sch Econ, Dept Org, FI-00101 Helsinki, Finland
[2] Cardiff Univ, Cardiff Business Sch, Cardiff CF10 3EU, S Glam, Wales
[3] Cardiff Univ, Cardiff Business Sch, Cardiff CF10 3EU, S Glam, Wales
关键词
discourse; gender; identity; management consultants; resistance;
D O I
10.1177/1350508404044061
中图分类号
C93 [管理学];
学科分类号
12 ; 1201 ; 1202 ; 120202 ;
摘要
In this article, we explore the discursive possibilities available to men and women when they construct their professional self as 'knowledge workers' in multinational management consultancies. We argue that this professional identity construction is embedded in a normalizing, gendered discourse of what it means to be an 'ideal' consultant. However, representations of an alternative discourse, which constructs different spheres in an individual's life, can also be traced in the consultants' talk. Through a comparison of British and Finnish consultants' talk, we show the relevance of placing micro-discourses in context. In the UK, discourse on 'work/life balance' may be understood as a form of resistance at the level of subjectivity. In Finland, discourse on the 'balanced individual' can be seen to be an articulation of a societally bound normalizing discourse. The cultural context can thus be said to have an effect on forms of resistance in knowledge work.
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页码:539 / 564
页数:26
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