Carrying Document Cases: An Informal Look

Abstract

Malloy ( 1977) suggests that rhe attache-type document case is an accepted symbol of authority in the workplace and recommends its adoption by female execurives. Levy (1980) reinforces this counsel by pointing out how products surpass elemental practical usage by taking on societal significance and intricate symbolism. To gain some insight as to what might well be present practice, a simple inquiry was made of male and female commuters in a large northeastern city. Note was taken of people carrying document cases leaving a railroad station during the morning rush hour. Observations were made at the four major exits of the terminal: one exit per day for four consecutive days. Five hundred observations were made each day. About 1 out of 5 people passing the check points was a carrier. Of the 2,000 noted, 71.8% (1,436) were men and 28.2% (564) were women. AttachC-type cases were carried by 62.9% (903) of the men and 8.3% (47) of the women in the sample. The ochers, 37.1 % (533) men and 91.7% (517) women, had portfolio-type cases. The results suggest that the act of carrying a document case is the status symbol. However, considerations other than functional utility appear to have importance in the selection of document cases, with women having their own prestige norms. As has been implied by Dandridge, Mitroff, and Joyce (1980), an increased understanding of symbolism in organizational setrings might well be instrumental in enhancing a better understanding of dorkers'