This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Collinson, D. L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

'Engineering Humour': Masculinity, Joking and Conflict in Shop-floor Relations

Department of Management Sciences, U.M.I.S.T., Manchester, U.K.

The focus of this paper is on the organizational significance of shop-floor humour and in particular its relationship to gender identity and working-class resistance. A brief review of the literature on organizational humour is followed by a more detailed examination of the illuminating analysis by Willis of school/shop-floor counter-culture. Although his research provides a strong basis for the case study presented below, it is criticized for a tendency to romanticize working-class culture, humour and informal opposition.

In contrast, by means of an empirical analysis of joking forms in the components division of a lorry producing factory, the paper then explores not only the collective elements, but also the internal divisions and contradictions that characterize shop-floor relations. By critically questioning the workers' manifest search to secure a highly masculine sense of identity, the paper is able to highlight a 'darker side' of shop-floor culture, which underpins and ultimately undermines the creative humour and collectivity found in the factory.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Romero and A. Pescosolido Humor and group effectiveness Human Relations, March 1, 2008; 61(3): 395 - 418. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. J. Tracy and C. Scott Sexuality, Masculinity, and Taint Management Among Firefighters and Correctional Officers: Getting Down and Dirty With "America's Heroes" and the "Scum of Law Enforcement" Management Communication Quarterly, August 1, 2006; 20(1): 6 - 38. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. T. Fairhurst Reframing The Art of Framing: Problems and Prospects for Leadership Leadership, June 1, 2005; 1(2): 165 - 185. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. P. Edley Discursive Essentializing in a Woman-Owned Business: Gendered Stereotypes and Strategic Subordination Management Communication Quarterly, November 1, 2000; 14(2): 271 - 306. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Noon and R. Delbridge News From Behind My Hand: Gossip in Organizations Organization Studies, January 1, 1993; 14(1): 23 - 36. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Alvesson and Y. D. Billing Gender and Organization: Towards a Differentiated Understanding Organization Studies, January 1, 1992; 13(1): 073 - 103. [Abstract] [PDF]