RHETORIC AND ACTION - WHEN A LITERARY DRAMA TELLS THE ORGANIZATIONS STORY

Recognizes the link between rhetoric and organizational outcomes in or ganizational theory. Suggests that it is a link which could also be de veloped in organizational change management; and that selected literar y texts could provide a valid learning resource for exploring the role of root metaphors in organizational culture and in management develop ment, Literary artists filter ''real life'' through a personal, but se nsitively attuned conduit; so their ''findings'' and ''conclusions'' p rovide a challenging alternative to the traditional case study. If, fo r example, literary texts suggest that root metaphors in organizationa l culture influence action. then it would follow that management initi ative to change a root metaphor could lead to change in action outcome s.