The Symbolic Frame

Organizational Symbols, Culture & Theater

Using An Educational Lens

Name ONE word that comes to mind when you see each

image?

A

B

C

E

D

Humans translate meaning into

symbols

Meaning is what humans create based on their

experiences (Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 244).

They are engaged in sense-making

You created meaning from 5 images

Symbols: why use them?

• “Symbols are basic elements of culture that people shape to fit unique circumstances.”

• “Symbols and symbolic actions are part of everyday life.”

• “Symbols stimulate energy in moments of triumph and offer solace in times of tribulation”

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p.247 )

Symbols in action: Palio Horse Race: Siena, Italy

The Symbolic Frame

What are we going to do today?

• Explore the various forms symbols take in demonstrating organizational cultures (Ch. 12)

• Examine how symbolic elements are used to build team culture (Ch. 13)

• Compare the symbolic messages found in theater to secular organizations (Ch. 14)

What is the Symbolic Frame?

• The Symbolic Frame is an alternate lens that people can use to view human behavior.

• The Symbolic Frame focuses on how humans make sense and meaning of the world around them.

• Meaning, faith and belief are central to this frame. (Bolman & Deal, 2013,

p.244)

Ch.12-Organizational Symbols and Culture

This chapter explores different symbolic elements associated with organizations.

Organizational culture is defined as well as how its central role shapes performances within the institution.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

How do organizations use these elements to create their cultures?

Symbolic Elements:

• Myths & Stories• Vision• Heroes and

Heroines• Rituals &

Ceremonies(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

Ch. 13-Culture in Action

This chapter shows what leaders and

workers do collectively to create “a culture that bonds people in pursuit of a

shared mission.”

(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

Culture in Action: Describe an example of this in the field of education?

Building culture and a strong, cohesive team revolves around the social events and symbols of an organization.

“The essence of high performance is spirit. If we were to banish play, ritual, ceremony, and myth from the workplace, we would destroy teamwork, not enhance it.”

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, pp. 283-284)

Ch. 14-Organization as Theater

This chapter uses “dramaturgical and institutional theory to reveal how organizational structures, activities, and events” are similar to dramatic performances on a stage.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

Describe an example of Dramaturgy from your personal experience.

Dramaturgy focuses on internal social interactions by individuals and internal situations• Example:– Relationships between actors & the scenes on

stage– When people encounter each other, they will

attempt to guide the impression that others see by changing their setting, appearance or mannerisms. At the same time, the opposite person is trying to form an opinion about the individual they encountered.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 288)

What does Institutional theory look like in education?

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 288)

Institutional theory focuses attention on the interface between organizations and their public audience.• Example:– Audience observes the “production”– The organization focuses more on the

plan and how it is perceived by outsiders (The show) as opposed to the results.

Who pioneered these theories?

Kenneth BurkeHe first made the connection between organizations and theaters.

He believed that organizations have scripts and the members follow those guidelines to make it function.

1897-1993

(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

Who pioneered these theories?

Erving GoffmanHe pioneered the use of theaters as metaphors for understanding how organizations worked.

Goffman saw a connection between the kinds of acts that people put on in their daily life and theatrical performances.

1922-1982

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 288)

“If an institution or its environment changes, theatrical refurbishing is needed. Audiences call for revisions in actors, scripts, or settings.”

What does this statement mean? Cite an example.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 292)

Organization as Theater

We can look at organizations as theaters in two ways:

• Organizational Structure as Theater

• Organizational Process as Theater

Let’s take a brief look at each one.

Organizational Structure As Theater

The “symbolic view approaches structure as a stage design: an arrangement of space, lighting, props, and costumes that make the drama vivid and credible to its audience.”

Handout:

• Examine the images in the handout. • Which organizational structure is

being represented? How do you know?

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 291)

Organizational Process as Theater

In the “Process as Theater” view, people engage in work related activities that serve as scripts and stage markings for self-expressive opportunities, improvisation for grievances and amphitheaters for negotiations.

• Six areas are highlighted:– Meetings, Planning, Evaluations,– Collective bargaining, Power– Managing expressions

Let’s briefly discuss each one

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 293)

Meetings

• “Meetings are magnets attracting individuals looking for something to do, problems seeking answers. And people bring solution in search of problems.” “They serve as expressive occasions to clear the air and promote collective bonding”

• Audiences are given the feeling of reassurance that issues are getting attention

(Bolman & Deal, 2013)

Planning

“Planning, then is an essential ceremony that organizations stage periodically to maintain legitimacy.”

• For universities, Cohen and March (1974) listed four symbolic roles related to plans:• Plans are symbols• Plans become games• Plans become excuses for interaction• Plans become advertisements

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 294)

Evaluation

“Evaluation as drama assures spectators that an organization is responsible, serious, and well managed. It shows that an organization take goals seriously and cares about performance and improvement.”

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 296)

Collective Bargaining

“The bargaining drama is designed to convince each side that the outcomes were the result of a heroic battle—often underscored by desperate, all-night, after-the-deadline rituals of combat that produce deal just when hope seems lost.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, p. 297)

Exercising Power

“Power is typically viewed as a commodity that individuals or systems possess—something that can be seized, exercised, contested, or redistributed.”

A Baseline for exercising power:

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, pp.298-299)

“Successful leadership is having followers who believe in the power of the leader. By believing in the leader, “people are encouraged to link positive events with leadership behaviors.”

Managing Impressions

Zott and Huy conducted a two-year field study that suggested symbols “may be more powerful than numbers in determining who gets” funding.

(Bolman & Deal, 2013, pp. 299-300)

The type of FUNDRAISER and how well it is executed will determine the success of getting investors to give money to the organization or gain new members.

Managing impressions skillfully is a “theatrical performance.”

Summary

What have we learned today?

• The Symbolic Frame is an alternate lens that people can use to understand human behavior and culture within organizations. (Ch. 12)

• Symbolic elements, such as rituals, stories, and vision are used to build team culture (Ch. 13)

• Organizational structures, activities, and interactions are like dramatic performances on a stage. (Ch. 14)