Humor, Power, and Change in Organizations

Bibliographic Data

ID9890664
AuthorsTom Dwyer (0000-0002-8366-136X, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), corresponding author)
Year1991
Volume44
Issue1
Pages1-19
Publication date1991-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0018-7267 • E-ISSN: 1741-282X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/001872679104400101
OpenAlexW2149717557
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited31

This paper analyzes joking relationships that are targeted at persons or at those affairs which actors interpret as representing persons. A theory of social relations of work is outlined; the literature illustrates that joking relationships have a content that reflects these relations. The form of joking relationships is then analyzed using Caplow's triad theory; this theory allows humor to be seen as a product of power relations and the contesting of these. The theory claims to be able to predict the likelihood of joking relationships between actors of various degrees of power, and the consequences of these, conservative, revolutionary, or improper for the organization. Jokes are analyzed in terms of the theory. Humor analysis can, in a complementary reasoning, be seen as a methodological tool that helps unmask organizational power relations. A number of reflections are drawn about humor in organizations subject to post-industrial change. Humor has no essence; it is inserted into the dynamics of social life and its contents and form reflect social relations, power distributions, and changes in both

Epistemology · Power (physics · Product (mathematics · Social relation · Social science · Sociology · Subject (documents · Triad (sociology · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Computer Science · Humor Studies and Applications · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology

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