Organizational psychoanalysis in public administration
By: ANDERSON, Debra K.; WHITE, Jay D
.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, June 2003Subject(s): Organizational Change; PsychoanalysisThe American Review of Public Administration 33, 2, p. 189-208Abstract: Although not new, the use psychoanalysis to study, asses, and work with organizations is certainly not central to the field of public administration. This article argues that psychoanalysis adds value to rational-technical reforms because in addition to addressing the structural and rational aspects of organizations, it focuses on the implicit, unconscious, and often covert influences that can hinder individual and organizational performance. The authors focus on six key issues within public administration - task, autonomy, authority, responsiveness, finances, and accountability - arguing that psychoanalysis helps iluminate the conscious and unconscious dynamics that influence each. The article concludes by supporting the combined use of rational-technical and psychoanalytic approaches in order to help individuals and organizations risk and tolerate change.
Although not new, the use psychoanalysis to study, asses, and work with organizations is certainly not central to the field of public administration. This article argues that psychoanalysis adds value to rational-technical reforms because in addition to addressing the structural and rational aspects of organizations, it focuses on the implicit, unconscious, and often covert influences that can hinder individual and organizational performance. The authors focus on six key issues within public administration - task, autonomy, authority, responsiveness, finances, and accountability - arguing that psychoanalysis helps iluminate the conscious and unconscious dynamics that influence each. The article concludes by supporting the combined use of rational-technical and psychoanalytic approaches in order to help individuals and organizations risk and tolerate change.
Click on an image to view it in the image viewer
There are no comments for this item.