Normalizing dirty work: Managerial tactics for countering occupational taint

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ashforth, Blake E.; Kreiner, Glen E.; Clark, Mark A.; Fugate, Mel
• 署名单位: Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe; University System of Ohio; University of Cincinnati; American University; Southern Methodist University
• 刊物名称: ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0001-4273
• 发表日期: 2007
• 页码: 149-174
• 关键词: TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP; CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS; HUMOR; performance; management; IDENTITY; stigma; identification; taxonomy; science

摘要

Dirty work refers to occupations that are viewed by society as physically, socially, or morally tainted. Using exploratory, semistructured interviews with managers from 18 dirty work occupations, we investigated the challenges of being a manager in tainted work and how managers normalize taint-that is, actively counter it or render it less salient. Managers reported experiencing role complexity and stigma awareness. Four types of practices for countering taint were revealed: occupational ideologies, social buffers, confronting clients and the public, and defensive tactics. We discuss links between these practices.