Anti Stupidity

How Organizations Can Trade Stupidity for Purpose
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-06682-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis

Buch, Englisch, 164 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm

This book explores how functional stupidity - uncritical and unreflective thinking within prescribed, constrained ways - is institutionalised and why we should minimise it at workplaces.

How did our organisations become stagnant, and what can be done to revive them? Contemporary societal and organisational noise, extensive bureaucratisation, silo thinking, imitation, bullshit talk, and meaningless meetings are destructive to workplaces. This book explains how we got here and shows escape routes through more independent thinking and speaking up. With spotlights on individual and organisational strategies to combat stupidity, various structures and practices to mobilise support are illuminated.

A provocative and entertaining read, this book will be practically useful reading for all interested in making organisations more effective.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Professional Practice & Development

Autoren/Hrsg.

Alvesson, Mats

Cizinsky, Stella

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction

2. Stupidity and Other Misery Cut Short

3. Functional Stupidity - Existential Anxiolytc and Social Lubricant

4. Organized Stupidity or Stupidity in Organizations

5. Sins, Ailments and Fragile Times

6. Fighting Functional Stupidity I: Individual Initiatives

7. Fighting Functional Stupidity II: Organizational Solutions

8. Fighting Functional Stupidity, Warnings and Pitfalls

9. Summary and Closing Words

Über Autor(innen)

Mats Alvesson is Professor of organization studies at the University of Bath, UK and is also affiliated with Lund University, Sweden, Stockholm School of Economics and City, University of London, UK.

Stella Cizinsky is MD, cardiologist and head of clinics at Örebro University Hospital in Sweden.