Counter-rhetoric and sources of enduring conflict in contested organizational fields: A case study of mental health professionals. Issue 3 (5th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fincham, Robin; Forbes, Tom
• Is Part Of: Journal of professions and organization. Volume 6:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 342
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 2019-10-05
• Subjects: rhetoric -- counter-rhetoric -- institutional logics -- mental health -- health and social care integration; Professions -- Sociological aspects -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; 331.71
• DOI: 10.1093/jpo/joz013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-8803

Abstract

Abstract: As a means by which actors justify beliefs and practices, rhetoric has a key institutional role. In contested settings, where multiple groups and the logics associated with them interact, research has highlighted rhetorical strategies that exploit rival systems. The account we develop expands on these ideas and suggests they embrace forms of counter-rhetoric, or arguments that delegitimize a rival's logic and refine and reframe others' values. We use these categories to explore the case of a local mental health service, an area of health policy known for problematic diagnosis and treatment. Here groups of medical and social-care providers were required to work together in a system of intensive inter-professional relations and clashing logics. Our analysis focuses on this interaction, exploring the language-based nature of logics and sources of conflict between logics that are asserted in counter-rhetorical forms.