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Stories: What Organizations Are Made Of

In: Narrative Organizations

Author

Listed:
  • Christine Erlach

    (NARRATA Consult)

  • Michael Müller

    (Stuttgart Media University)

Abstract

Humans are “storytelling animals.” Stories color our memories, communications with others, and attitudes toward change. They help us learn from the past, build our identity, inform our actions, and plan for the future. Social systems, including organizations, are built from the sum of the stories that are being told about them. This makes organizations narrative systems by default, whether or not their members are fully aware of this. Organizations that understand themselves as machines or bodies can only capture a very small portion of the hidden qualities that shape their internal coordination, communication, and purpose when compared to those that see themselves as narrative systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine Erlach & Michael Müller, 2020. "Stories: What Organizations Are Made Of," Management for Professionals, in: Narrative Organizations, edition 1, pages 11-30, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:mgmchp:978-3-662-61421-1_2
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-61421-1_2
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