A Theological Approach to Organizational Visual Representations

ESSEC WORKING PAPER 1704, 2017

40 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2017

See all articles by Aziza Laguecir

Aziza Laguecir

EDHEC Business School - Department of Accounting

Leca Bernard

ESSEC Business School

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 2017

Abstract

We argue that analytical and critical aspects of theology can contribute to organizational research, and potentially assist in elaborating new concepts. To lay this out, we use Christian orthodox theology of icons as an analytical framework to study organizational visual representations. We generate three important insights. First, we point to the need, so far neglected, to question and theorize the relation between the representation and what is represented. Second, we highlight the prominence of symbolism over aesthetic aspects. Third, we underline that images are both embedded within meaningful relationships with other images, and used in social and power relationships. Building on these insights, we elaborate the notion of epistemic power to account for the capacity of visual representations to provide knowledge of an object of inquiry which cannot be immediately conscripted nor clearly perceived in its entirety. We contribute to the integration of theological analysis in organizational research by showing how it can further extend our understanding of secular organizational settings.

Keywords: Epistemic Power, Religion, Theological approach, Organizational Visual Representations

Suggested Citation

Laguecir, Aziza and Bernard, Leca, A Theological Approach to Organizational Visual Representations (February 2017). ESSEC WORKING PAPER 1704, 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2955169 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2955169

Aziza Laguecir (Contact Author)

EDHEC Business School - Department of Accounting ( email )

France

Leca Bernard

ESSEC Business School ( email )

3 Avenue Bernard Hirsch
CS 50105 CERGY
CERGY, CERGY PONTOISE CEDEX 95021
France

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