Organizational Cultures as Holding Environments: A Psychodynamic Look at Organizational Symbolism

William Van Buskirk · Dennis McGrath

38 citations0/0 files storedHuman Relations

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Management and Organizational Studies Leadership and Management in Organizations Organizational Management and Change

Abstract

The traditional formulation of symbols as "bundles of meaning" has supported many fine-grained analyses of organizational culture. However, it tends to obscure deeper psychodynamic elements that are essential to shaping how culture forms, develops, and dies. This paper adapts the idea of "holding environment" from Winnicott, Kegan, and others to sketch the potential contribution of such a psychodynamic perspective. An illustrative case is presented to support the argument.

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1986Organizational Culture and Leadership 1980Feeling and thinking: Preferences need no inferences.2012Playing and Reality 1986Organizational Culture: Can It Be a Source of Sustained Competitive Advantage?1977The Role of Institutionalization in Cultural Persistence 2023Learning From Experience 1983Corporate cultures: The rites and rituals of corporate life 1982The Evolving Self

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