Abstract
Winnicott’s object relations theory is deeply applicable to the study of human relations inside formal organizations. His concepts of holding, facilitating, and potentiality offer organization researchers and theorists insightful analytic tools for assessing the quality and meaning of organizational identity. In particular, Winnicott’s idea of potential space and what is called the analytic and intersubjective third is a critical framework for analyzing the quality of attachments between workers and managers, leaders and followers, executives and organizational cultures. Winnicottian theory applied to organizations highlights the focus of theorists and action researchers on the transference of emotions and the psychological reality and genuine experience of the workplace, what the author defines as organizational identity.
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Diamond, M.A. (2017). Winnicott at Work: Potential Space and the Facilitating Organization. In: Bowker, M., Buzby, A. (eds) D.W. Winnicott and Political Theory. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57533-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57533-3_13
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