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The game of exemplarity: subjectivity, work and the impossible politics of purity

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  • Ten Bos, René
  • Rhodes, Carl

Abstract

This paper develops and problematises the notion of the 'exemplary worker'--an idealised worker who is automated, compliant and mechanical. We suggest that the identity of such a worker emerges historically in a range of organisational, social and cultural discourses and provides a norm against which real workers are to be judged. Most recently, this includes the discourse of organisational culture; where worker commitment and managerial control are directed at people's values and beliefs. Our discussion starts with a review of Herman Melville's short story Bartleby the Scrivener and uses this story to begin to tease out the logic of exemplarity and non-exemplarity. From there we examine other models for exemplary workers and then relate these insights to more contemporary discussions of knowledge work, empowerment, organisational culture and self-direction. We argue that despite these changes, there is much continuity in terms of worker exemplarity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ten Bos, René & Rhodes, Carl, 2003. "The game of exemplarity: subjectivity, work and the impossible politics of purity," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 403-423, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:19:y:2003:i:4:p:403-423
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bogdan Costea & Kostas Amiridis & Norman Crump, 2012. "Graduate Employability and the Principle of Potentiality: An Aspect of the Ethics of HRM," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(1), pages 25-36, November.
    2. Miguel Pina e Cunha & Armenio Rego, 2008. "COomplexity simplicity simplexity," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp534, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    3. Carl Rhodes & Robert Westwood, 2016. "The Limits of Generosity: Lessons on Ethics, Economy, and Reciprocity in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(2), pages 235-248, January.

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