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Halloween, Organization, and the Ethics of Uncanny Celebration

Author

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  • Simon Kelly

    (University of Huddersfield)

  • Kathleen Riach

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between organizational ethics, the uncanny, and the annual celebration of Halloween. We begin by exploring the traditional and contemporary organizational function of Halloween as ‘tension-management ritual’ (Etzioni, Sociol Theory 18(1):44–59, 2000) through which collective fears, anxieties, and fantasies are played out and given material expression. Combining the uncanny with the folkloric concept of ostension, we then examine an incident in which UK supermarket retailers made national news headlines for selling offensive Halloween costumes depicting ‘escaped mental patients’. Rather than treating this incident as a problem of moral hygiene—in which products are removed, apologies made, and lessons learned—we consider the value of Halloween as a unique and disruptive ethical encounter with the uncanny Other. Looking beyond its commercial appeal and controversy, we reflect on the creative, generous, and disruptive potential of Halloween as both tension-management ritual and unique organizational space of hospitality through which to receive and embrace alterity and so discover the homely within the unheimlich.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Kelly & Kathleen Riach, 2020. "Halloween, Organization, and the Ethics of Uncanny Celebration," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 103-114, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:161:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3945-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3945-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Corvellec, Hervé & Bevan, David, 2005. "The Impossibility of Corporate Ethics – For a Levinasian Approach to Managerial Ethics," GRI-rapport 2005:9, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Research Institute GRI.
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