The Organization of Hypocrisy: Talk, Decisions and Actions in Organizations

by Nils Brunsson

Based on a series of empirical studies spanning several years, this book explores the ways in which organizations produce ideology and how the tension between ideology and action can actually benefit organizational legitimacy and survival. Through interviews with managers and analysis of numerous organizations, the author examines the roles that individuals play in legitimizing the role of institutions and how the relationship between action and politics within institutional environments determines their structure and policies.

250 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 1989

Reviews

[Tom Calvard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful classic of organisational theory. Doesn't offer easy answers but insightful analysis into how organisations juggle politics, decisions, conflicts, rationality and the need to act. Slightly enigmatic at times, and a bit thin on varied case studies and examples, but I think it's aged well in terms of thought-provoking fare in the flaws and pathologies of organisations.

[Katlu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focusing on organizations from the political domain (e.g. cities), this books offers a few interesting theses and ideas applicable also to other organizations. The most prominent one is that to deal with conflicting stakeholders, separating talk from walk can be a successful strategy.

A lot of them are radically new or even on the verge of irony, so the book is definitely inspiring in part. However, the writing style is incredibly tough and hard to read - I wish the author had stuck to Swedish or have it all rewritten by an English native speaker.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifying but interesting.

[Kåre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg har ikke læst alt i bogen. Men det jeg læser er rigtig godt. Det jeg kender til teorien fra andre er også godt.

Det mest ærgerlige er,at den er så gammel. Den er ikke hip. Men pointen er åbenlyst genkendelig i mange sammenhænge.

Man kan måske argumentere, at den især passede i en historisk periode, hvor der ikke var så stor sammenhæng mellem målinger og kvalitetsudvikling, som der er i dag. Eksempelvis er creep jo et forsøg på at forhindre dekoblingen i at finde sted. Der er således en vis kontrol med tingene, således at det næppe udarter til den rene kynisme. Men påstanden er måske lidt anstrengt. Måske er det snarere sådan, at vi ny har hørt denne chokerende analyse så mange gange, at den ikke berører os mere.

I praksis er det nok svært at anvende analysen.