ABSTRACT
Metaphors have been the subject of increasing attention in recent years, both in social science in general and organizational analysis in particular. The writings of Gareth Morgan (1980, 1986) have been groundbreaking in re - thinking how we use metaphors to understand the complexities and ambiguities of organizational life. Metaphors are seen as important organizing devices in thinking and talking about complex phenomena. They allow us a way of recognizing that we never relate to objective reality ‘as such’, but always do so through forming metaphors or images of the phenomenon we address. Organizations are, for example, seen as if they are machines, organisms, political arenas, brains, theatres, or psychic prisons. By using these metaphors, we are able to make sense of the confusions, complexities and difficulties that are often associated with organizational life.
