Civilising and Informalising: Organizations in an Eliasian Context

A.T.M. van Iterson*, J.L. Soeters, W. Mastenbroek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that an Eliasian approach is significant because of its long-term study of social processes and its attempt to show the intricate connection between macro-societal developments, such as stare formation, and micro-level changes in manners, morals and mentalities. The paper illustrates the relevance of this perspective for organization studies through a discussion of one 'nation-specific' and one 'overarching' trend in the western civilizing process. The nation-specific trend relates to the value contrast between French civilisation and German Kultur, and its impact upon national industrialization and organizational behaviour. The overarching trend relates to 'informalization' processes and their effect on organizational integration and emotion codes at work.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)497-514
JournalOrganization
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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