ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the workings of two major affects—desire and envy—as an integral part of the constructive and destructive processes underlying institutional life. Desire emerges as one of the fundamental affects of an individual's life. Desire, therefore, is not only present in institutions, but is also instrumental in their construction, development, and transformation. Envy involves feelings of anger and indeed hate towards the person having an object or quality that one covets, but cannot acquire. The envious person will therefore seek first to destroy the object of envy and then to destroy the person having the object. Envy is first directed at the object, then the person. Envy can be necessary—provided it is confined and contained—when it contributes to the definition of roles, their structuring, and the demarcation of the boundaries separating them. Finally, the authors offer some concluding remarks on the significance and impact on organizational processes of the transformation from envy to desire.
