Keeping the magic alive
The multiple functions of magic concepts
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6365490 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tina Øllgaard Bentzen (0000-0002-4181-7442, Department of Social Sciences and Business Roskilde University Roskilde Denmark), Sven Siverbo (0000-0001-8860-6944, Faculty of Humanities and Scocial Sciences, School of Business Karlstad University Karlstad Sweden), Marte Winsvold (0000-0002-6096-0594, Department of Politics, Democracy and Civil Society Institute for Social Research Oslo Oslo Norway, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 85 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 280-295 |
| Publication date | 2024-03-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Administration Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0033-3352 • E-ISSN: 1540-6210 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/puar.13814 |
| OpenAlex | W4393231391 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 51 |
Despite scholarly fascination with magic concepts, empirical research on how they fare in practice is scarce. This study explores how magic concepts retain their magic when used in public organizations. Using survey data and case studies, we identify “trust” as a magic concept in Scandinavian municipalities and develop a typology of its four central functions. We find that the concept of trust is used to confirm and confront old organizational practices, as well as to calibrate and catalyze new ones. We suggest that the multivocal character of magic concepts enables them to fit multiple agendas simultaneously, strengthening their ability to stay magic
Epistemology · MAGIC (telescope · Physics · Sociology · Typology · Anthropology · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Philosophy · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
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| Citations per year | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |