Behind the Shell

Abstract

IntroductionThe revisited (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983) is well-known paper that discusses isomorphism in organizations (Yasuda & Takahashi, 2007). The paper begins with an introduction of final part of The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism (Weber, 1930). The key phrase, iron cage, is derived from Weber.In Japan, 1970s began to see use of term iron as Weber's metaphor for bureaucracy. This tendency has remained unchanged. For instance, in Yamanouchi (1997), representative exposition of Weber, one can see the bureaucratic order, which Weber called 'iron cage' (Yamanouchi, 1997, p. 95), modern named 'iron cage' (Yamanouchi, p. 96), and the 'iron cage' of bureaucracy (Yamanouchi, p. 98).The imagery of iron as symbol of was used to criticize or Weber himself (Arakawa, 2007). For example, one stereotypical explanation stated that iron (bureaucracy) has turned human beings into apathetic gears in machine. The first page of DiMaggio and Powell (1983) also says that the imagery of has haunted students of society as tempo of bureaucratization has quickened (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983, p. 147).However, it may be surprising to note that term iron is nowhere to be found in Weber (1920). The source for term is Talcott Parsons' English translation of Weber (1930). The original German of Weber (1920) uses term Gehause. No dictionary defines this term as cage.The Gehause appears only once on pages 37 and 203 and twice on page 204, for total of four times in Weber (1920). Correspondingly, Parsons' translation uses phrase order of things on page 54, iron and cage on page 181, and cage on page 182 (Weber, 1930). In other words, iron is used only once (Weber, 1930, p. 181).The term iron became widely known due to publication of Weber's biography, Iron Cage (Mitzman, 1969); however, Mitzman himself did not use term iron in text (Arakawa, 2007). Instead, he used translation a housing hard as steel and criticized Parsons' translation in footnote, saying [the original German Gehause] has significance beyond phrase 'iron cage' used by Parsons (Mitzman, 1969, p. 172).Since then, English-speaking researchers have been critical of term iron cage. For example, Sayer (1991, p. 144) noted that on back is more appropriate term than iron cage, saying it denotes a burden perhaps, but something impossible to live without, in either sense of word and that a remains an external restraint. In fact, original Gehause has meaning of snail's shell, and there are many examples of this simply being translated as shell (Arakawa, 2007).A Deeper Meaning of ShellWhat was Weber trying to make known with Gehause? According to Weber (1920), asceticism emerged in medieval times and called on individuals to leave secular world, enter monasteries, and serve God. Then, Reformation took place and gave rise to Puritanism, which emphasized virtue of having faith in Christ without leaving secular world. This faith was accepted by nascent middle class at time. The monastic lifestyle was no longer seen as particularly holy. Instead, a sanctified work-life in secular world was believed to be in accordance with God's will (Otsuka, 1991, p. 401). Secular jobs were sacred vocations, calling from God (Beruf in German). It was in this setting that Parsons' translation of iron appeared.In Baxter's view care for external goods should only lie on shoulders of saint like light cloak, which can be thrown aside at any moment. But fate decreed that cloak should become an cage....To-day spirit of religious asceticism-whether finally, who knows? …