Overview

Metaphors for organization and management have been a subject of strong interest in the area of organizational studies since the 1980s. Metaphors enhance the understanding of organizations and provide a mechanism for critiquing current practices, increasing effectiveness, and improving communication. The Oxford Handbook of Metaphor in Organization Studies provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, educators, and managers. The book comprises twenty-nine chapters, which are authored by over forty contributors, many of whom have played major roles in the development of the field over the years. The theoretical underpinnings of organizational metaphors are explored. An array of metaphorical contexts for understanding management and organizations is presented. The various uses of metaphor as a tool in research, education, and management are addressed, as are the limitations of metaphors. Finally, future research directions related to metaphors in organizational studies and management are proposed.

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9780192895707

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Reviews

The birth of Conceptual Metaphor Theory in 1980 has given rise to decades of careful cross-cultural analysis of how our abstract conceptualization and reasoning are profoundly shaped by deep systematic metaphors. This present volume incisively investigates the underlying metaphors that frame our understanding of the structures, practices, and values of our organizations, management operations, and research practices. The chapters develop both an analytic posture and also a critical perspective on the uses of those metaphors as they affect people's lives and wellbeing. * Mark Johnson, Phillip H. Knight Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy, University of Oregon * This exciting Handbook explores how metaphor is fundamental to how we think and perceive reality...This book is the first of its kind to review key contributions and carry forward the subject of metaphor in organizations, suggesting new avenues for research and practice, and posing new questions. It includes contributions from a wide range of renowned international specialists who have been central to the debate on metaphor in organization theory. The scope of the contributors demonstrates the generative power of metaphor to invite different perspectives. It will be an insightful guide for students of organization theory, organizational consultants, or anyone interested in how humans create, negotiate, and share meaning in their personal and public lives through language and interaction. * Dr. Dawn Williams, formerly Dawn Inns, University of Westminster * What a rich and diverse set of excellent authors and chapters on the pivotal role of metaphors in management and organization studies! * Dennis Schoeneborn, Professor of Communication, Organization, and CSR, Copenhagen Business School *

Author Information

Anders Örtenblad is Professor of Working Life Science at the University of Agder, Norway. While the majority of his career has been based in the Nordic countries, he has also worked elsewhere including three years in China. He has edited numerous books and journals, including The Oxford Handbook of the Learning Organization (OUP, 2019), and has previously edited various works on metaphor in organization studies with Linda L. Putnam and Kiran Trehan.

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