The game of exemplarity: subjectivity, work and the impossible politics of purity
This paper develops and problematises the notion of the 'exemplary worker'--an idealised worker who is automated, compliant and mechanical. We suggest that the identity of such a worker emerges historically in a range of organisational, social and cultural discourses and provides a norm against which real workers are to be judged. Most recently, this includes the discourse of organisational culture; where worker commitment and managerial control are directed at people's values and beliefs. Our discussion starts with a review of Herman Melville's short story Bartleby the Scrivener and uses this story to begin to tease out the logic of exemplarity and non-exemplarity. From there we examine other models for exemplary workers and then relate these insights to more contemporary discussions of knowledge work, empowerment, organisational culture and self-direction. We argue that despite these changes, there is much continuity in terms of worker exemplarity.
Year of publication: |
2003
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---|---|
Authors: | Ten Bos, René ; Rhodes, Carl |
Published in: |
Scandinavian Journal of Management. - Elsevier, ISSN 0956-5221. - Vol. 19.2003, 4, p. 403-423
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Publisher: |
Elsevier |
Keywords: | Exemplary workers Organisational culture Subjectivity Trespassing |
Saved in:
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