The line managers often wore overalls during their working day,
whereas the staff men invariably wore suites. The younger men were regarded as ‘green
boys still wet behind the ears’, and any sabotaging of their ideas was hailed as a great
success. Conversely,
the staff men regarded the operational staff as ‘old fashioned stick in the mud’s who
would not discuss anything rationally.
Similar problems have been reported in an early Swedish study. The use of formal
systems of address decor and situation of offices, and the place and company k-ept at
lunch times, were, felt to be the major causes of friction. These systems of status are just
as visible in
In larger firms the elaborations of status can become
quite opulent. Wen
executive’s suite as it was more sumptuous than anything their props, men could
design or afford, even having a large number of original
paintings valued over $ 10,000 each. Firms at this level of luxury sometimes become a
little self-conscious over their executive perks. Company jets may cease to carry the
organization’s emblem because of the possible adverse effects in the minds of
shareholders and union leaders waiting at the airport for their economy flights.
Opinion is divided on the effects of status. Communication can benefit through the
informal associations existing in most organizations-associations often grouped by
department, status level, etc. Alternatively, Professor Scott of
uncommitted view and looks at status differentials both as an incentive and as a divisive
factor in organizations. But even he was surprised when he overheard a canteen
waitress commenting on a director’s frequent company car changes: ‘If he wants to swop
his car that often, he’s entitled to do it. Who wants to see the head of our business going
around in a scruffy old car?
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