Understanding Organizations through Language

`Makes fascinating reading and at the same time provides a good grounding in
the study of the language of organizations, both for those who know little of
the area and for those who are looking for a comprehensive overview of the
field. Overall I would warmly recommend this book as an asset for students and
teachers of organizational behaviour and for those with a general interest in
the way in which language shapes our lives and work'

\- Organization Studies

`The book is extremely clear in its explanation of how language works.... The
authors treat their readers as curious, intelligent and concerned to find new
and powerful tools to come at the workings of organizations from a lateral and
newly illuminating perspective' - Virginia Valentine, Semiotic Solutions,
London

`The authors are able to apply their personal fascination with language to
give students insights into organisational behaviour that significantly
surpasses what is normally achieved by the tired old rituals of standard
organizational behaviour texts and teaching' - Tony Watson, Nottingham Trent
University

Taking issue with functional approaches to communication, Understanding
Organizations through Language offers a viable alternative based on `webs of
meaning'. Instead of viewing communication as a thing that can be
unproblematically controlled and managed, the authors use semiology as a
theoretical bedrock to develop a new metaphor for communication. Understanding
Organizations through Language applies this approach to areas of interest,
including: metaphor, story-telling, discourse, gender, leadership and
electronic communication.

Spanning the gap between highly theoretical organization studies texts and
highly prescriptive communication texts, the book talks to the reader in a
sophisticated yet approachable style. This style is complemented by a range of
examples, activities and mini case studies. Also included are chapter
summaries and further reading suggestions, making this a useful text for both
academics and students.

Advanced undergraduates and postgraduates will utilize this book for any
course dealing with communication, particularly courses in HRM and
organizational behaviour.