Exploring the Inclusion and Exclusion Paradox within the Performances of Organizational Rituals

Abstract

Family firms, by their nature, are imbued with paradoxes. In particular, the paradox of inclusion and exclusion among family and non-family members poses crucial challenges for family firms. Rituals that are powerful, yet seemingly unrelated to business provide a context within which the paradox of inclusion and exclusion becomes salient. We draw on a single and extreme case study in an Anatolian based family firm in which religious rituals are widely performed. We find that these rituals contain a duality between structure and anti-structure, which serves the emergence of inclusion and exclusion paradox. Our findings highlight that rituals form a basis for collective identity and shared understanding among multiple interest groups—particularly family members and non-family members. We also find that the same rituals provide a means to reinstate the existing hierarchy within the company. Hence, both sides of inclusion and exclusion paradox are maintained and managed through performances of rituals, which thus help define and sustain the boundaries of an organization.