Discussion Note: Using Metaphors to Understand and to Change Organizations: A Critique of Gareth Morgan's Approach

Abstract

A critique of Gareth Morgan's approach to metaphor is used as the vehicle for an assessment of the value of metaphoric thinking to understanding and acting in organizations. Metaphor is shown to be an epistemologically valid approach to making sense of organizations, although not at the expense of traditional literal language approaches. Metaphoric thinking is located within the OD model of organizational change, where it functions as a valuable aid to cognitive change, while sharing some of the limitations of OD itself. Some issues for further research are outlined.

Keywords

Descriptors: metaphor organization theory epistemology organization development organizational change

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