Agency, Authority, and Epideictic Rhetoric: A Case Study of Bottom-Up Organizational Change

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2019

Agency, Authority, and Epideictic Rhetoric: A Case Study of Bottom-Up Organizational Change

Matthew R. Sharp Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract

By analyzing a case study of organizational decision making at a large research university, this article argues that the agency to make a difference within organizations—to effect organizational change—is not exclusive to those in positions of authority. This case study demonstrates how subordinate members of a university affected management’s decision-making process through their use of rhetorical identification. Specifically, these organizational members gained this agency by reproducing certain values and identities through epideictic rhetoric in order to encourage collective action and effect organizational change from the bottom up.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 2019-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/1050651919834979
Open Access: Closed
Topics: rhetorical theory qualitative research affect and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Dubinsky et al. (2021)

The Disappearance of Business Communication From Professional Communication Pro…

Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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