Activating the Spirit of Work: Business Advice Books and the Use of Pastoral Power in Managing Motivation

• In Event: That's the Spirit: Motivation and Spirituality in the Workplace

Abstract

Many business advice books are self identified components of corporate training and consulting programs. Studies suggest spirituality may be a dominant theme functioning within these books. Using Foucault's writings on pastoral power as a framework, this study explores how spiritual rhetoric functions within the texts. Findings suggest spiritual rhetoric constructs desirable images of faithful employees while suppressing collective resistance. The study concludes spiritual rhetoric within business discourse obscures tensions and paradoxes inherent in organizing workplaces.

Author

• Tessa Pfafman, Western Illinois University