This longitudinal, single-case study of a European business school develops the concept of “purpose work” and maps how organizations intentionally change (and then sustain) a radically adapted purpose. The authors identify a recursive process where proactive purpose-theorization and integration create new aspirations, and reactive stabilizing and enrolling work contains tensions and builds legitimacy.
The paper offers practical and theoretical insights for management educators and leaders navigating organizational repurposing.
Authors & affiliations:
- Luca Manelli (Politecnico di Milano)
- Carlotta Benedetti (Ca’ Foscari University)
- Josip Kotlar (Politecnico di Milano)
- Federico Frattini (Politecnico di Milano).
