In search of subtlety - Discursive devices and rhetorical competence

Andrea Whittle, Frank Mueller, Anita Mangan

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    What is the role of contradiction in organizational rhetoric? This article argues that existing research tends to focus on contradiction at an institutional level and then develop a distinct but complementary perspective that views contradictory rhetoric at an interactional level and as a practical concern, especially when routine is disrupted and repair tactics are required. Drawing on data from a study of a quality improvement initiative in the United Kingdom, the authors examine the contradictions that were constructed when a "change champion" attempted to deal with resistance to change. They conclude by depicting how contradiction can emerge when actors reflexively shift their identifications to portray themselves and their actions in a contextually appropriate manner.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)99-122
    Number of pages24
    JournalManagement Communication Quarterly
    Volume22
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

    Keywords

    • contradiction
    • discourse
    • identity
    • identification
    • rhetoric
    • total quality management
    • DISCOURSE
    • MANAGEMENT
    • IDENTIFICATION
    • ORGANIZATIONS
    • CONTRADICTION
    • CONSTRUCTION
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • METAPHOR
    • ACCOUNTS
    • QUALITY

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