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Legitimation and institutionalization of managerial practices. The role of organizational rhetoric

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  • Hossfeld, Heiko

Abstract

This paper analyzes how rhetoric is associated with the legitimation and institutionalization of managerial practices. Since rhetoric both shapes and reflects an actor’s legitimacy assumptions, rhetoric can be used as an indicator of the institutionalization or cognitive legitimacy of managerial practices. Drawing on and expanding previous research on rhetorical theory and verbal accounts, this paper links argumentation structure and form with processes of institutionalization. The empirical analysis draws on a large text corpus of data from two German banks, both of which implemented drastic downsizing measures. The results show that the process of institutionalization is related to both a decline in argument diversity and a shift from defensive to acclaiming arguments.

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  • Hossfeld, Heiko, 2018. "Legitimation and institutionalization of managerial practices. The role of organizational rhetoric," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 9-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:34:y:2018:i:1:p:9-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2017.11.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Arabella Mocciaro Li Destri & Anna Minà & Pasquale Massimo Picone, 2024. "Corporate social irresponsibility and stakeholders’ support: evidence from a case study," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(1), pages 37-62, March.
    2. Thomas Hermann, 2018. "A rhetorical situation triggers accounting communication. The case of the conflict between the Bank of German States and the Government in 1955/56," CONTABILIT? E CULTURA AZIENDALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(1), pages 73-118.

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