DIFFERENT VIEWS ON ORGANIZATIONS: CONTRIBUTIONS OF SYMBOLISM AND ETHNOGRAPHY IN ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES

Abstract

The contributions of investigations on symbolisms in organizational studies are discussed with special emphasis on ethnography. The paper is relevant due to an alignment with the most critical stance with regard to dominant organizational theories in their search for alternatives on complex subjective aspects originating from the social constructions in organizations. Discussion comprises studies on organizational symbolisms, followed by four sociological paradigms investigated by Burrell and Morgan (1970). Organizational studies are analyzed from the point of view of organizational symbolism (MORGAN; FROST; PONDY, 1983). Discussion evolves towards an interpretation and defends that it is posited as an adequate approach for the understanding of the socially constructed formal and informal aspects in an organization, coupled to the employment of ethnography. Ethnography (GEERTZ, 1989) is seen as a model with great possibilities for Organizational Studies. Results show that the employment of symbolism within the interpretative approach and the ethnographic method broadens research on Administration. These choices deepen a determined context through reflections and discussions by the researchers and research agents on the day-to-day activities of social agents. The above becomes part of researcher´s day-to-day study. Consequently, a conflict of multiple interpretations occurs with the possibility of broadening the understanding on subjective and complex organizational phenomena.