Abstract
Business advice books (BABs) provide popular, organization-centered reading material and are widely used in corporate training programs. Studies suggest these books impact contemporary organizations through discursive constructions that reframe the meaning of organizing (Jackson 2001). Using Foucault's (1976, 1979, 1984, 1988) writings on pastoral power as a framework, this study analyzes how the rhetoric of BABs functions as discursive technology of the self to control employees. Critical rhetorical analysis indicates the spiritual rhetoric used by BABs invokes pastoral power to construct the self in ways consistent with organizational goals.
Journal Title
Iowa Journal of Communication
Volume
42
Issue
2
First Page
151
Last Page
174
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Pfafman, Tessa
(2010)
"Activating the Spirit of Work: Business Advice Books and the Use of Pastoral Power to Manage Employees,"
Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 42:
No.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol42/iss2/5
Copyright
©2010 Iowa Communication Association
