Managing Impressions Rather Than Emissions: Volkswagen and the false mastery of paradox

Gaim, M; Clegg, SR; Cunha, MPE

Managing Impressions Rather Than Emissions: Volkswagen and the false mastery of paradox

Gaim, M Clegg, SR Cunha, MPE

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Publisher:: Sage
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Organization Studies, 2021, 42, (6), pp. 949-970
Issue Date:: 2021-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gaim, M
dc.contributor.author	Clegg, SR
dc.contributor.author	Cunha, MPE
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-21T01:26:00Z
dc.date.available	2021-12-21T01:26:00Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Organization Studies, 2021, 42, (6), pp. 949-970
dc.identifier.issn	0170-8406
dc.identifier.issn	1741-3044
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152436
dc.description.abstract	© The Author(s) 2019. The challenge of dealing with paradoxes has become a central issue in management and organization studies. Present research literature is largely inclined to idealize paradoxical framing in thinking and theorizing. We critically explore the perils paradoxes present when generated by stretch goals whose ‘achievement’ is accomplished through impression management. Using the Volkswagen emissions scandal we show how paradoxical promises, embraced discursively but not substantively, created false transcendence rather than paradoxical mastery. We contribute to paradox theory by discussing how the illusion of paradox embrace can trigger dysfunctional behaviours. In practice, the paper cautions organizations and their members from being overconfident in their ability to embrace paradoxes successfully.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Sage
dc.relation.ispartof	Organization Studies
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/0170840619891199
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1503 Business and Management
dc.subject.classification	Business & Management
dc.title	Managing Impressions Rather Than Emissions: Volkswagen and the false mastery of paradox
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	42
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2021-12-21T01:25:59Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	42
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

© The Author(s) 2019. The challenge of dealing with paradoxes has become a central issue in management and organization studies. Present research literature is largely inclined to idealize paradoxical framing in thinking and theorizing. We critically explore the perils paradoxes present when generated by stretch goals whose ‘achievement’ is accomplished through impression management. Using the Volkswagen emissions scandal we show how paradoxical promises, embraced discursively but not substantively, created false transcendence rather than paradoxical mastery. We contribute to paradox theory by discussing how the illusion of paradox embrace can trigger dysfunctional behaviours. In practice, the paper cautions organizations and their members from being overconfident in their ability to embrace paradoxes successfully.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152436