The Absurd Workplace: How Absurdity is Normalized in Contemporary Society and the Workplace

The world is facing climate change, health pandemics, and inequality, and governments and organizations are malingering to find effective responses. This book aims to elucidate what is happening in contemporary society and workplaces, why there is little improvement, and how a more sustainable social transformation can be made. It offers a wide perspective on absurdity and presents a theoretical framework and case studies of sectors or organizations where absurdity manifests itself. It bridges theory, science, and everyday practice of organizational life and how individuals can contribute to more sustainable economies and societies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 259 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The current world is a testament to the absurdity that we face. With climate change, health pandemics, and ever-growing inequality, it is alarming to see how globally, governments and organizations are struggling to find effective responses to these crises. This has led to absurd situations where we are witnessing the destruction of our planet, while humankind remains stagnant in its quest for truly sustainable societies and workplaces.

To delve into these grand, global challenges from an absurdity and hypernormalization lens, the book aims to shed light on what is happening in contemporary society and workplaces. It seeks to answer why there is so little progress being made in addressing the grand global challenges and presents a theoretical framework and in-depth case studies of sectors or organizations where absurdity manifests itself.

Presenting a comprehensive new perspective on society and workplaces, this book aims to help students and academics make sense of the current situation and what can be done. It serves as a bridge between theory, science, and the everyday practice of organizational life, highlighting how individuals working in various organizations can contribute to the creation of more sustainable economies and societies.

The book explores the various manifestations of absurdity in society and the workplace, including the proliferation of meaningless metrics, the obsession with short-term profits, and the disregard for long-term sustainability. It also examines the role of institutions and systems in perpetuating absurdity, such as the dominance of capitalist markets, the power of corporations, and the influence of political ideologies.

Through its theoretical framework and case studies, the book offers insights into how individuals and organizations can break free from the constraints of absurdity and work towards creating more sustainable and equitable societies and workplaces. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration in addressing these complex challenges and encourages individuals to take action in their own lives and workplaces.

In conclusion, the current world is a testament to the absurdity that we face. However, by adopting an absurdity and hypernormalization lens, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face and work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future. This book provides a valuable contribution to the field of organizational studies and offers practical insights for individuals and organizations seeking to make a positive impact on the world.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 154 x 218 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031178863
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023