An ethnographic study of a humanitarian organization and their work in refugee crises reveals how the pervasive use of representations, including assessments and evaluations, can be a double-edged sword.
Seemingly intractable problems such as refugee crises, climate change, or poverty can be daunting and lead to a sense of meaninglessness for those working on these issues. Even though they are commonly understood to be incomplete or flawed, this study unpacks how ritualized representations can be a powerful means of creating meaning through share rhythmn, emotional intensity and ceremonial display, and help to sustain engagement in the face of otherwise intractable problems.
Authors and affiliations:
● Corinna Frey-Heger (Rotterdam School of Management)
● Marian Konstantin Gatzweiler (University of Edinburgh Business School)
● Michael Barrett (Cambridge Judge Business School)
