Introduction

Nearly 60 years separate these two quotes. The first quote is from Huizinga’s well-known book Homo Ludens (Playing man) in which Huizinga studies play as a social phenomenon. A part of the book goes on to explore ways in which play emerges in various areas of society such as sports, politics and economy and it is here that he describes the way in which financial organizations employ play in the form of competitions and records. The second quotation by Jacqueline Miller is from an article in which she argues in favour of modern organizations’ increased use of play and humour. She describes play as an important resource in modern organizations. There is both continuity and discontinuity between the two quotations. There is continuity in their linking of play and organization. The discontinuity concerns the nature of this link. When Jacqueline Miller encourages organizations to use more play and humour, she is not concerned with competition as is the case in Huizinga, but instead with strengthening creativity, engagement and vitality. This continuity and discontinuity is the theme of this book. It focuses on the relations currently at play between organizations and play and also the significant unfolding of new forms of power.