Myths to work by: Redemptive self-narratives and generative agency for organizational change

Authors

W. E.Douglas Creed, University of Rhode Island
Rich Dejordy, D'Amore-McKim School of Business
Jaco Lok, UNSW Business School

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-2014

Abstract

In this article we consider how cultural resources rooted in religion help to constitute and animate people working in industrialized societies across both religious and nonreligious domains. We argue that redemptive self-narratives figure prominently in the symbolic constructions people attach to their experiences across the many domains of human experience; such redemptive narratives not only can shape their identities and sense of life purpose, they inform their practices and choices and animate their capacity for action. To consider how redemptive selfnarratives can provide a basis for agency in organizations, we analyze and compare the career narratives of a retired Episcopal Bishop and a celebrated CEO. Copyright © 2014 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Research in the Sociology of Organizations

Volume

41

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Creed, W. E.Douglas, Rich Dejordy, and Jaco Lok. "Myths to work by: Redemptive self-narratives and generative agency for organizational change." Research in the Sociology of Organizations 41, (2014): 111-156. doi: 10.1108/S0733-558X20140000041012.