Dignity and the Organization

Contents

Notes on Contributors

List of Figures

List of Tables

1: Introduction to Dignity and Organization

References

2: Dignity in Organizing from the Perspective of  Hannah Arendt’s Worldliness

Arendtian Worldliness as Plurality and Durability

The Urge to Appear

The Dignity of a Durable Human World

Culture in a World without Tradition

Dignity in Human Activities and Organizing as Conditioning Dignity

Organizing as Conditioning Human Freedom

Freedom and Equality as Feats of Organization

The Dignity of Common Sense

Personal Taste and a Longing to Belong

The Reality Sense

Liquidation of Freedom by Defeating Common Sense and Enacting Laws of Movement

Indignation as a “Natural Response” to Breaches of Indignity

Dignity in Management and Organization

Obedience in Authoritarian Organizations

Polis as Organized Remembrance and as Space of Appearance

Exploitation of Human Potential for Action as Undignifying or Totalitarian

What Does It Mean to Share a Common World?

Organizing and Management as Conditioning Dignity

Reflective Boundary Management

Organizing by Engaging in Sensus Communis on Dignity

Arendtian Culture

Chapter Summary

References

Works by Hannah Arendt Are Referred to by Abbreviations

3: Dignity and Membership: A Route to the Heart of How Dignity Is Done in Everyday Interaction

Introduction

Dignity: Transcendent Human Property or Performative Social Outcome?

Knowing Dignity: Performativity and Accounts

Membership as Method: The Accomplishment and Accounting of Everyday Dignity

Doing Dignity: The Benefits and Consequences of a Performative Approach

Chapter Summary

References

4: Dignity and Species Difference Within Organizations

Introduction

Is It Meaningful to Talk About Animal Dignity?

Does ‘Animal Dignity’ Make Sense in the ‘Real World’ of Organizations?

Animals in the Making as Actors in Networks

Dignity: A Radical Respecification

Conclusion

Chapter Summary

References

5: Dignity at the Level of the Firm: Beyond the Stakeholder Approach

Introduction: The Role of the Firm under Discussion

The Concept of Human Dignity

Dignity and the Integrative Social Contracts Theory (ISCT)

Human Dignity Inside the Firm: From Theory to Practice

Summary of the Chapter

References

6: Marx, Alienation and the Denial of Dignity of Work

Marx and Alienation

Marx’s Categories of Alienation

Alienation from Product

Alienation and the Process of Production

Alienation, Dignity and the Division of Labour

Alienation and Species-Being

Alienated from Others; Undignified Relationships

Alienation, Dignity Denial and Private Property

Strength of Marx’s View of Alienation

Using Marx’s Theory of Alienation to Research Dignity at Work

Characteristics of the ICT Industry

ICT Professionals and the Work Process

Control of the Work Process

Allocation of Work

The Changing Nature of IT Contracts

Awarding Contracts: The Impact on Employment

Being Transferred to a New Employer

The “Bench”

The Impact of the Bench

ICT Professionals and the Denial of Dignity

Resisting Alienated and Undignified Labour

References

7: Dignity Restoration: The Indirect Goal of Social Enterprises’ Activity

Introduction

Social Enterprises: Tools in the Hands of Social Entrepreneurs to Catalyse Positive Social Change

The Southeast Credit Union: The Social Enterprise Reviving Human Dignity

The Southeast Credit Union (SCU)

First Principle: Offering Financial Help

Second Principle: Teaching Money Management

Third Principle: Giving Experience and Building Confidence

Discussion: Dignity Restoration Behind the Actions of Social Enterprises

References

8: ‘Dignity and Leadership: Implications of Leaders’ Language and Their Assumptions of Human Nature

Introduction

Dignity and Leadership: An Under-Explored Link

Dignity and Leadership

Leaders’ Respect Dignity through Culture and Language

Studies of Leaders’ Language in the Workplace

Conclusion

Chapter Summary

References

9: From Human Resource Management to Human Dignity Development: A Dignity Perspective on HRM and the Role of Workplace Democracy

Introduction

Human Dignity in the Workplace

Underpinnings of Human Dignity

Implications of Human Dignity for Organizations and (Strategic) HRM

Democracy in the Workplace

Foundation of Workplace Democracy

Workplace Democracies and Human Dignity

Human Dignity, Workplace Democracy and the Employee Life Cycle

Branding and Resourcing

Performance and Reward Management

Talent Management, Learning and Development

Employment Relations

Exit Management

Conclusion

References

10: Office Design and Dignity at Work in the Knowledge Economy

Offices and Work Spaces in the Knowledge Economy

Features of the Physical Work Environment and Their Effects on Employees

Physical Space, Power, and Dignity: The Road Ahead

Chapter Summary

References

11: Dignity by Design: A Shift from Formalistic to Humanistic Design in Organizations

Introduction

Formalistic Design

From Formalistic to Evidence Based Design in the Healthcare Sector

Setting the Stage for Humanistic Design in the Healthcare Industry

Transition to Humanistic Design

Moving Towards Humanistic Design in Other Sectors

Conclusion

References

12: Concluding Observations

Index