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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Gathering Around the Organizational Campfire: Storytelling As a Way of Maintaining and Changing For-Profit Organizational Cultures

Stovall, Steven Austin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1196709264

Abstract Details

2007, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
Stories abound in the business world. They may be called "success stories," "best practices sharing," or even simply "stories," but however they are referred to, these tales not only become part of the organizational culture, but they also help define it. This study examines storytelling among for-profit organizations to demonstrate how stories are selected, told, and related to employees for the purposes of either changing the organizational culture or helping to maintain the existing one. Four companies have been chosen to capture the nature of storytelling as it relates to the sharing of cultural information within these firms. Using the qualitative research methodology known as portraiture, four portraits have been be crafted and emergent themes concerning the relationship of storytelling and culture are identified: organizational culture is not easily defined, culture emanates from the top, stories about culture are numerous, histories of organizations are stories, maintaining or changing culture is difficult, and stories about culture are real. The purpose of this study is to deepen our understanding about how and why stories function in for-profit cultures. The electronic version of the dissertation is accessible at the OhioLINK ETD center http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/.
Carolyn Kenny (Advisor)
214 p.
Storytelling; Stories; Portraiture; Organizational Culture; Corporate Culture; Organizational Behavior; Narrative

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stovall, S. A. (2007). Gathering Around the Organizational Campfire: Storytelling As a Way of Maintaining and Changing For-Profit Organizational Cultures [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1196709264

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stovall, Steven. Gathering Around the Organizational Campfire: Storytelling As a Way of Maintaining and Changing For-Profit Organizational Cultures. 2007. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1196709264.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stovall, Steven. "Gathering Around the Organizational Campfire: Storytelling As a Way of Maintaining and Changing For-Profit Organizational Cultures." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1196709264

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1196709264
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.