Emotions in Institutional Work: A Discursive Perspective

Abstract

This paper focuses on the dynamics and interplay of meaning, emotions, and power in institutional work. Based on an empirical study, we explore and elaborate on the rhetorical strategies of emotion work that institutional actors employ to mobilize emotions for discursive institutional work. In an empirical context where a powerful institutional actor is tasked with creating support and acceptance for a new political and economic institution, we identify three rhetorical strategies of emotion work: eclipsing, diverting and evoking emotions. These strategies are employed to arouse, regulate, and organize emotions that underpin legitimacy judgments and drive resistance among field constituents. We find that actors exercise influence and engage in overt forms of emotion work by evoking shame and pride to sanction and reward particular expedient ways of thinking and feeling about the new institutional arrangements. More importantly, however, the study shows that they also engage in strategies of discursive institutional work that seek to exert power-force and influence-in more subtle ways by eclipsing and diverting the collective fears, anxieties, and moral indignation that drive resistance and breed negative legitimacy evaluations. Overall, the study suggests that emotions play an important role in institutional work associated with creating institutions, not only via "pathos appeals" but also as tools of discursive, cultural-cognitive meaning work and in the exercise of power in the field.

“Devils May Sit Here:” The Role of Enchantment in Institutional Maintenance

“…Unlike most of these earlier studies that focus on the 'pathos appeals' and the rhetorical strategies of emotion work such as evoking shame or pride (Moisander et al, 2016: 1), our study suggests that studying institutions from the perspective of enchantment may give additional new insights into their maintenance.…”

“…anxiety about where to sit) or positive (feeling pleased about being part the grand setting, or pride of the historical legacy of the Faculty). In formulating our codes, we consulted the existing classifications used in the study of emotions (Russell, 2003;Smith & Ellsworth, 1985), and the literature on emotions in organizations and institutions (Maitlis, & Ozcelik, 2004;Walsh & Bartunek, 2011;Creed, Bryant, Okhuysen & Smith-Crowe, 2014;Moisander, Hirsto and Fahy, 2016).…”

“…Highly rational systems, Ritzer (1999) argued, are efficient and predictable but they leave institutions devoid of magic and mystery, however, our evidence suggests that charm, magic and mystery are as important as rational explanations in attracting individuals to an institution and maintaining loyalty to it. The concept of enchantment also adds to the burgeoning literature on emotions in institutions (Maitlis, & Ozcelik, 2004;Walsh & Bartunek, 2011;Voronov & Vince, 2012;Voronov & Weber, 2015;Moisander, Hirsto and Fahy, 2016) and emotional aspects of maintenance processes (Howard-Grenville et al, 2013;Wright, Zammuto & Liesch, 2016).…”

“…This follows from our premise that spatial boundaries within the Faculty are a manifestation of more symbolic practices, which have for centuries reinforced a certain institutional order. By linking spaces with the emotions that they evoke, our study draws on the emerging body of literature on the aesthetic and emotional nature of maintenance processes (HowardGrenville, Metzger & Meyer, 2013;Moisander, Hirsto & Fahy, 2016;Voronov & Vince, 2012).…”

Entrepreneurial practices in research-intensive and teaching-led universities

“…Interplay of ascribed meanings, belief sets and emotions form the core of cognitive dimension (Voronov and Vince 2012;Moisander et al 2016). In relation to this aspect, the literature discusses the influence of predispositions towards entrepreneurial behaviour (Karataş-Ö zkan 2011; Klapper and Refai 2015).…”