This article argues that rituals are an important part of corporate culture. However,
they can involve deviance. Employing multiple media sources, this study identifies
symbolic themes expressed through daily work rituals at Enron's corporate
headquarters. The themes involve risk, gratification, pride, and fantasy imagery.
Utilizing structural ritualization theory, this article suggests that ritualized
symbolic practices expressing these themes extensively influenced Enron employees.
They shaped their cognitions, patterns of behavior, and social interaction. They
also led to the normalization and reproduction of deviance. The findings of this
study contribute to research on organizational deviance and structural ritualization.
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