H. Willmott, STRENGTH IS IGNORANCE - SLAVERY IS FREEDOM - MANAGING CULTURE IN MODERN ORGANIZATIONS, Journal of management studies, 30(4), 1993, pp. 515-552
The article subjects the assumptions and prescriptions of the ''Corpor
ate Culture' literature to critical scrutiny. The body of the article
is devoted to teasing out the distinctive basis of its appeal compared
with earlier management theory. It is seen to build upon earlier effo
rts (e.g. 'theory Y') to constitute a self-disciplining form of employ
ee subjectivity by asserting that ''practical autonomy'' is conditiona
l upon the development of a strong corporate culture. The paper illumi
nates the dark side of this project by drawing attention to the subjug
ating and totalitarian implications of its excellence/quality prescrip
tions. To this end, parallels are drawn with the philosophy of control
favoured by the Party in Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Specifically,
the paper critiques the ''doublethink'' contention that autonomy can
be realized in monocultural conditions that systematically constrain o
pportunities to wrestle with competing values standpoints and their as
sociated life projects.