ABSTRACT
This chapter explores topics in organizational culture and aesthetics that are covert in nature as well as the problems of an organizational culture dominated by suspicion and clandestine activities, part of what Goffman called the organizational underlife. Some material covered in organizational culture also belongs to the newer feld of organizational aesthetics, particularly symbols heroes, and the myths or legends of the organization. Much of the aesthetics of organizations operates covertly, from the positioning of the building to its architectural style, the arrangement of offices and entry spaces, the furnishings, and even the organization chart. Language is one of the media through which the covert is practised. Organization theorys attention to covert language is often covered in communication studies, including the idea of verbal and non- verbal forms residing primarily in informal communication networks where close relationships can be forged, providing the means by which factions and cliques form, including those that subvert the formal policies, goals, and norms.
