We have seen that legitimacy of a logic of action is at the heart of the development and stability of an organization. But how does the individual fit into this? Well organizations consist of individuals : members, workers, managers, partners and so forth. At the receiving end of what the organization offers, there are also individuals. Organizations offer solutions used as res-sources by individuals. When individuals do not invest meaning in the service or product offered by the organization, when they withdraw their support to the organization, in turn, it weakens the legitimacy of the logic of action the organization embodies. When we join an organization, for instance, our first move is to charge ourselves with the moral virtues, or philosophical thoughts, or values it promotes, we reinforce the legitimacy of its logic of action. At some point, if we find ourselves at odd with the organization's logic of action, disenchanted, we start rejecting all that the organization stands for and undermine its legitimacy. In a nutshell, as individuals, through our memberships and attachments to organizations, we enhance or deplete the legitimacy of their logics of action. In France, for many years, the national railway company has been very poorly rated in polls. There have been within the organization multiple social conflicts that have affected the users over the years. The strategy of repeated and systematic strikes, led to a weakening of legitimacy for the state-owned nature and public service logic claimed by the company. The same goes also when a customer or any kind of user of a service or product, is in contact with an organization. If the logic of action of this organization starts to appear illegitimate, for instance, excessive profits, the clients are rebelling against the company practices either by severing their relationship with the company or by seeking the help of other organizations, whose logic of action would be to push for better practices. When American consumers started to realize that Nike's sportwear products were made in countries where labor practices enabled the exploitation of children, pressure was applied to the organization to amend its way, and logic of action, of Nike in this case, was condemned by the consumers because they did not find any legitimacy in the fact that the products they bought for tens of dollars were produced at under a dollar using unfair labor practices. So, when are individuals in the position to challenge the legitimacy of the logic of action of an organization? -When they are part of the organization. -When they are trading, exchanging with the organization. -In both cases. Yes, the answer is the third one. Organizations are in need of individuals as a means to carry their logic of action, and the individual is an insider. But they also need to convince the individual, as an outsider, that their logic of action is legitimate. So the individual, although he is rather insignificant taken in isolation does have an influence, both direct and indirect on organizations. There has been recently on TV shows and in movies a certain number of characters who act as free agents within the organization employing them. Individuals that are keen on disrespecting these organizations logic of actions. Dr. House, The Mentalist and the Sherlock Holmes portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. are examples of these type of characters. Probable facts or pure fiction? While the understanding of the world is deeply rooted in professional practices, House as a doctor, Patrick Jane the mentalist, and Sherlock Holmes try constantly to escape some constraining rules of their respecting professional worlds. In these fictions they manage to do so because they are over achievers in sheer performance term. In any modern organization's logics of action the test of performance is currently a dominant issue and this as we'll see later in our course, maybe a source of legitimacy conflict with others logics, logic of the state, of professions, of family and so forth. Nevertheless, let's just note at this point that when these main characters of fictions disrupt the logic of action of their respective organizations,it is often a source of stress for their coworkers. The ability to adhere to a logic is a constitutive principal of the professional group. When the logic becomes illegitimate, or is strongly challenged, the existence of the group is endangered. And the individuals are experiencing doubt and stress because exclusion from the group can be extremely costly on their own identity, economic situation or well being. As a result, when an individual challenges strongly and repetitively the logic of action of his or her organization, the group would rather cast him away even if proven right. Wistleblowers, as Edward Snowden, exemplify the situation. To denounce what they believe is a complete legitimacy conflict, they first have to extract themselves from the organization. They often also have to seek the support of other organizations, like the press, media, other countries even, if they wish to avoid becoming complete outcasts. As we mentioned early, individuals taken in isolation are rather insignificant. It is an illusion to believe that the lone person can shake up an organization's logic of action. They need, these individuals, other organizations to relay their actions, it can be federation in sports, media, political parties and so forth. To understand the articulation between society and the individuals, it is therefore crucial to observe organizations and the way they operate. How they enroll individuals into their logic of action. And when, where and whether these logic of actions are legitimate and why. As we explain, using a bottle of sparkling water at the beginning of this week, society, the public space, organizations are elements of a fully integrated universe. Loss or conflict of legitimacy affects the whole ensemble. So in conclusion of this week, how would you define the individual? -As insignificant and constrained by its organization context. -As supporting organization's logic of action as much as organizations provide this individual their, with res-sources and meaning. -Both of the above. -None of the above. I hope it is by now clear in your mind that the correct answer is the third one. Next week we will explore other sources of disorganization. after a legitimacy loss : competition. When done, we shall be able to work at reorganizing our own world and change it, hopefully for the best.
