Hyper-Organizational Space in the Work of J. G. Ballard

Abstract

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. This paper explores three hyper-organizational spaces: the skyscraper, the resort and the office-park. Drawing on Henri Lefebvre's account of the production of space, we consider how these spaces are socially produced, how they materialize relations of power and how inhabitants engage in struggle to change these spaces. Three novels by J. G. Ballard are selected to explore each of these spaces. We argue that in each of these novels, such hyper-organizational environments can be understood as the product of ongoing struggle between central planned and practiced space and peripheral lived space. This both animates these spaces and the lived relations that comprise them, as well as potentially destroying them. Permanent

Coworking spaces and collaborative practices

“…Organisational space, by delineating where and what people make and do at work, constitutes an important element of work practices and can have important implications for the interaction between individuals and, ultimately, impacts innovation (Allen, 1977; Fayard and Weeks, 2007, 2011; Moultrie et al, 2007). While research on organisational spaces has extensively covered the physical design, efficiency and processes, control and socio-spatial perspectives (Beyes and Steyaert, 2012; Clegg and Kornberger, 2006; Dale, 2005; Elsbach and Pratt, 2007; Gieryn, 2000; Taylor and Spicer, 2007; Zhang et al, 2008), a recent scholarly debate points to the emergence of new work practices and workspaces, driven by various technological and social changes (Blagoev et al, 2019; Garrett et al, 2017; Johns and Gratton, 2013; Waber et al, 2014).…”

Spatializing gossip as chaotic and multiple liminal space

“…Our primary contribution both challenges and develops the existing understanding of gossip that largely dismisses the roles ‘space’ plays in processes of gossip. We problematize extant literature on gossip where ‘space’ is metaphorically understood (e.g., Michelson et al, 2010) and on organizational space where the limited attention paid to gossip sees it as either an end-product or by-product of space (e.g., Hirst and Schwabenland, 2018; Zhang et al, 2008). We challenge the oversimplified view of gossip as entrapped by social determinism and reconceptualize gossip as a spatialization process constructed through the mutual constitution and competition between social interactions and space.…”

“…We move from the extant studies on gossip to the limited roles of gossip mentioned by a small group of organizational space literature. Gossip is employed as an example in the discussions of informal communication and interaction within organizational space with the underpinning assumption that space is an embodiment of control and power relations (e.g., Baldry, 1999; Hirst and Schwabenland, 2018) and an enabler of resistance (e.g., Zhang et al, 2008). Within this assumption, gossip is largely understood as an end-product of space produced through one-way interaction from space to gossip, rather than the co-creative relationship between space and gossip.…”

“…Besides the end-product consideration, gossip is also regarded as a by-product emerged through changes of spatial movement deviated from organizational norms (e.g., Zhang et al, 2008). For instance, Zhang and Spicer (2014) study the context of a Chinese Bureau where hierarchical power strictly dominates and regulates the physical design and use of space, such as the embodied movement and walking order when executives enter the conference room.…”