At the core of institutional theories, 'values' is a central term and figures in most definitions; however it remains understudied and under-explored. The editors of this open access book identify a resurgence of interest in the values-construct which underpins discussions of identity, 'ethos' and the purpose/nature of public and civic welfare provision. Considering the importance of values and values work to social, material and symbolic work in organizations, individual chapters explore values work as performed in organizations and by leaders.
Focusing on practices of values work, the book applies and combines different theoretical lenses exemplified by the integration of institutional perspectives with micro-level perspectives and approaches.
Understanding Values Work in Organisations and Leadership.- Values - Reviewing the construct and drawing implications for values work in organisation and leadership.- What is values work? A review of values work in organisations.- Institutional Complexity Challenging Values and Identities in Scandinavian Welfare Organisations.- Institutional leadership - the historical case study of a religious organisation.- 'Good leaders do the dirty work': Implicit leadership theory at the multicultural workplace.- Foxes and lions: How institutional leaders keep organizational integrity and introduce change.- Institutional leadership: Maintaining and developing the 'good' organisation.- Women's Path to Leadership through Values Work in a Context of Conflict and Violence.- Catching Values in Flight: A Process Perspective on Researching Values in Organisations.- Values as Fixed and Fluid: Negotiating the Elasticity of Core Values.- Work on Values When Shaping Public Institutions "What's trust got to do with it?" - experiences from Scandinavia.- The art of making sense of volunteering.- The value of group reflection.
