The Weick Stuff: Managing Beyond Games

Abstract

Astley and Zammuto (Astley, W. Graham, Raymond F. Zammuto. 1992. Organization science, managers and language games. Organ. Sci. 3 (4) 443–460.) have contributed a provocative theoretical analysis of the present state of organizational science and suggest that the solution to current difficulties lies in a fuller realization of the concept of organizational science as a language game. They address contemporary criticisms that organizational research lacks applications and reject the view that renewed efforts should be made to create a body of organizational engineering knowledge which offers highly specific advice to managers. Instead Astley and Zammuto (Astley, W. Graham, Raymond F. Zammuto. 1992. Organization science, managers and language games. Organ. Sci. 3 (4) 443–460.) invoke the philosophical concept of a language game and see organization theory as primarily consisting of stories and myths to provide symbolic representation and legitimation for management. Far from being highly specific in terminology, preferred language games are seen as being stated in an abstract language, the better to widely generalize, and indeed as being ambiguous, so as to appeal broadly and to facilitate consensus in fraught situations.