The Perverse Organisation and its Deadly Sins

There is evidence of a movement from “a culture of narcissism” toward elements of a perverse culture. This book brings forth and examines the evidence as it reveals itself through one of the major institutions of our time: the work organization.

Corporations and organizations for work are major centers of social activity. In many senses they provide a critical source of identity for their members, just as do families and religions. Their examination gives access to most of the dynamics operating within our society and reveals some of the deeper assumptions upon which our lives are based. To call them simply a reflection of human social organization and proclivity, perhaps is to underrate the importance of themselves shaping today’s psyche. To look at the formation of perverse practice, structure and culture within organizations is also to look at that development in society more broadly.