The Role of Ceremonials in Organizational Behavior

Abstract

The significance of ceremonials has received little attention in studies of work organizations. The role of the personnel administrator, for example, is customarily evaluated in terms of his effectiveness in performing specific activities which further the production goals of the organization, such as employee selection or dealing with grievances. Personnel activities such as selection procedures or training programs also have important symbolic aspects, according to this article, which are important in legitimizing decisions and actions taken within the organization. The personnel administrator plays an important ceremonial role in several respects, legitimizing various personnel decisions with the authority of the entire organization, supplying "scientific" endorsement of wage decisions, acting as "father confessor" to employees, etc.