BUS3018

Newcastle University Business School

2010/11

BUS3018: Contemporary Management Literature

Task:

Critically examine the extent to which the text with

which you have been presented makes a significant
and valuable contribution to our knowledge and
understanding of management in the contemporary
organisation.

Book Title: Pandemonium: Towards a Retro-Organisation Theory

Author: Gibson Burrell

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It may probably be believed that it is in places of lawlessness, uproar,

confusion and wild disorder that augment fear, panic and shock into
people. In this study of Pandemonium, it is clear that all the former
aspects are introduced to the reader to convey the message of Gibson
Burrell. This message is described through the main theme which
revolves around societies of earliest civil times and the esoteric
knowledge during The Enlightenment period or the Age of Reason and
the Middle Ages (circa 1600-1800). According to Burrell this period of
time has been overlooked in the revision of contemporary management,
organisational and societal behaviour.
A unique approach is taken in the design of the book where the
structure is important in terms of reading the text; the rules of
movement indicate in which manner the reader should proceed making
sure “not to cross the central reserve” as the book is divided between
two parts while the “dual carriageway” runs between them aided with
arrow signs as movement indicators. Other odd structures could be
randomly travelled through in the book, where the Municipal library of
pandemonium is in the midpoint of the journey, containing all the
references of the book.
Although the intensity of language used in this book is clearly not
parallel to the mainstream management texts studied by most students
at university, as a result requiring vast knowledge on historic events
stretching throughout different periods of time and being on familiar
terms with works of academics with a societal background and English
literature.
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In 2005 Gibson Burrell made an academician in the school of social

sciences, his many interest lies in the understanding of social theory and
its link to organisational theory. It is essential to keep in mind that
Pandemonium was published in 1997, therefore the author could not be
considered as an absolute academic in respect to the works of
Pandemonium. (University of Leicester, 2008)

In his text Burrell states that the approach to analysing a retro-

organisation theory could be perceived as many events which are
“apart” in time and space that are put side by side and remodelled to
create arguments or reach a conclusion in regards to an issue, similar to
the arts of renaissance where different dimensions are portrayed on one
canvas although strongly link.
Unlike many other ordinary texts concerning the studies of
organisations in our contemporary world, Pandemonium lacks primary
research in supporting the opinions presented. The merely far from
certain piece of primary research put into the work in support and
instigation of an argument could be found in the Second Exhibit: Pain
and Disease.
“As I write this page, my second bout of gout has me doubled up in pain
… If writers such as novelists require distress in order to enrich their
writing then it can only be from within a modicum of pain 1”. (Burrell,
1997)

As regards to the secondary research done in this literature it is safe to

say that an extensive amount of effort has been taken into gathering
references to support arguments, stretching from the academic works of;
1
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Pfeffer, J. (1982) Organisations and Organisation Theory and Ritzer G.

(1993) The McDonaldization of Society. This is while other opinions
were supported by; Kafka, F. (1961) Metamorphosis and Scarre, G.
(1987) Witchcraft and Magic in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century
Europe.
It would be only naive to state that his scope of choice is ridicule as these
terms and concepts have played an important role in shaping the
changing societies and organisational behaviour.

Witch-hunts within Central-Europe were on an increase as panic

frenzied many societies in the Middle Ages and led to the execution of
tens of thousands of victims of whom three-quarter of them were
women, never has Europe witnessed a larger scale atrocity against
women (Gendercide, 2002). Today it can be seen that women have
higher privileges in society and can join most influential organisations in
their society such as governments and play a significant role in politics,
as European women lead on the women rights (BBC, 2003). It could be
debated that these various civil rights are given based on a kind of guilty
conscience in our societies, as a consequence similarly raises the
question of why such a large concern on equality of women in the
workforce?

Delving further into the details of this book, there are 6 key stages in
which the theme of this book revolves around, in which each is
presented as an Exhibit. Examples will be used to link the conclusions of
each exhibit and illustrate their relevance with the contemporary world.
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First Exhibit: Abattoirs and Death, obviously relating to matters of death

in society and how organisations deal with such neglected issues. It
could be argued that, naturally societies tend to organise death; examples
such as the soldiers’ movement in war and processing of domestic
animal such as sheep in factories are planned. In this exhibit rationality
is being illustrated as an important factor in making life and death
decisions.
In the Salem Witch episode there were nineteen executions legally
carried out by the court of law, based on sightings of spectres walking
around the port. All allegations against the victims were seen rational
during that age, such allegations were; having red hair, possessing three
nipples and telling lies.
The end to the Salem witch episode was only brought when the
Governor’s wife was accused of witchcraft. Therefore according to the
rationale of the man who possesses power in society spectral proof was
said to be excluded. Burrell argues that maybe it is a necessity for our
societies to go through such experiences to understand societal
behaviour and shape organisations for the better.
On the other hand Burrell’s argument might be contradicted as an
illiterate Saudi woman was convicted of witchcraft in 2005 by the Saudi
government. Who allegedly physically harmed and forced her to
fingerprint a confession, as she could not read or write. Her accuser was
a single man whom alleged she made him impotent (BBC, 2008).
Such scenario could be compared to the Salem case as her fate may be
spared only on the interference of an individual of high political status.
It is clear that such practices are still carried out in our contemporary
world by existing organisations under legal laws, although Burrell
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suggests through experience of such issues we may help prevent

irrationality in the future.

Second Exhibit: Pain and Disease, as societies and organisations are

encompassed of humans; they are as well likely to become ill-fated with
infections and pain. Although it is through these pains societies can
create immunity and learn to cope with them. The definition of a
disease is “An alteration in the state of the body or of some of its organs,
interrupting or disturbing the performance of the vital functions, and
causing or threatening pain and weakness” (dictionary.net, 2011). It is
argued through this chapter that disease broke out into the modern
world during the colonization era, through means of globalization and
during the appearance of the golden triangle (trade between 3
continents; Africa, America and Europe) blaming diseases such as AIDS
coming from African slaves. Although humans get sick due to their own
ill-fate they persist on blaming one another for their infections and
enquire others to take liability for their own pain and distress.
This can also be viewed in our contemporary world through which
society has pin-pointed human beings individually for the recent
financial crisis which similar to a viral disease caused a domino effect to
world economies. In the Time.com an article titled as the “25 People to
blame for the Financial Crisis” is a list of individuals and groups of
people belonging to high economic and political status organisations
drawn from Wall Street and the White House were blamed for the
worlds ill-fate (Time.com), therefore it is safe to say that Burrell’s
argument could be supported with evidence in regards to such
behaviour.
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Third Exhibit: Satyrsville, in this chapter the topic of sexuality is

highlighted and its development in society as to how it is perceived
today. Burrell describes the approach that sexuality has taken in society
during the sixteenth century was very different from today, children’s
books openly dealt with sexual topics.
Although it is perceived differently in the modern world, taking the
example of; Sesame Street whom were strongly protested against in the
US by angry parents when one of their shows hosted Katie Perry singing
her hit song “Hot n Cold” along with Elmo. The parents found that
Perry’s sweet-heart cut dress was not very appropriate for children to
see on TV (Society Pages, 2010)
Due to the significant role played by influential religious organisations
in that time, the adults were hassled and silence descended on such
issues in children’s presence (Burrell, 1997). The well-built effect of the
church on society has proven to be so strong; adults in our
contemporary world can be seen to naturally follow this rule of thumb
which has rippled through time.
The topic not only revolves around the juvenile individuals of time but
also the diverse individuals in the world and how they have an effect on
how we structure our societies. “Pandemonium is full of half-beast and
half-god, this corner of Pandemonium is the kingdom of Priapus but
here gender and the role of the phallus is seen as problematic.” (Burrell,
1997)
It could be debated that in this text Burrell is trying to illustrate to the
reader that the world doesn’t only consist of only beasts and only God’s
but sometimes asymmetrical individuals with often not customary
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needs in society, such desires could be seen as a problem by mainstream

and could cause unease in certain organisations.
This problem which organisations face can be exemplified by the US
military were the term used to tackle such issue is “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell” policy, in which such restrictions are mandated by Law to US
soldiers from revealing their true sexuality (NY Times, 2010) this is due
to the reason it may conflict with the Title 10 of the United States code
and the presence of irregular individuals in the organisation would
generate jeopardy to the high values of morale, good order and
discipline, and unity which are the core of military capability (Cornell
University-Law School, 2010). This situation can clearly be linked to
understanding the role of the phallus as being “problematic”.

Fourth Exhibit: Panopticon City, this chapter is for the most part
concerning the behaviour of organisations towards society and largely
revolves around behavioural change in presence of observation and
surveillance elements. Listed are five main types of surveillance which
societies can be monitored by; Audio, Visual, Data, Sensor and other
(Polygraphs, vehicle location systems etc.) which are stated by Burrell in
which he reflects quotes from other authors speaking of society under
observation; “Surveillance Society” (Lyon, 1994), “The empire of the
gaze” (Jay, 1985) and “maximum security society” (Marx, 1988).
Panopticon city’s principle is taken from the work of Jeremy Benetham
whom is renowned for his work in the field of moral philosophy which
assesses behaviour based upon their consequences. His most famous
work in the field of observations is the “panopticon” (all seeing) its
function is to observe its environment at all times. Its design was an
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architectural work in a prison, in which the prisoner could by no means

make out when he was being monitored. It is said to be that mental
doubt itself would proof to be a decisive instrument of control (Cartome,
2001).
Ironically a city which acts to take measures of control in a region of
disorder such as Pandemonium strongly relates to our current world,
were organisations and societies have tried to implement measures of
surveillance to manage anti-social behaviour in the general public across
the world such as; theft, drug trafficking, vandalism, murders etc. These
are monitored in society in an alarming increasing rate, it was reported
in 2002 that there were 2.5 million closed circuit television camera’s
(CCTV) monitoring the United Kingdom and there would be a tenfold
increase in the coming years, the average citizen is caught on CCTV 300
times a day (BBC, 2002).
It could be argued that such nationwide implementation could mean
that organisations that have authority over society such as the
government, police force etc. tend to control the natural behaviour of
individuals in society. As mentioned earlier the citizen would recognize
that there is an “all seeing eye” and would subconsciously behave in
accordance not to break any man made laws as to avoid prosecution. As
a consequence to such controlled behaviour from individuals it would
be practically unfeasible for organisations to in fact comprehend the true
human nature or behaviour.
In addition to restricting the recognition of true human behaviour, the
sense of an ever growing “surveillance society” would violate the
private lives of thousands of citizens. It is rowed over by Phil
Zimmerman a computer security expert and guru that this absurd
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implementation of security is an intervention with our medical records,

private lives, intimate selves, financial lives and other aspects which
majority of people tend not to share with the public and this could be
abused easily through this operation (BBC, 2009).

Fifth Exhibit; the Pillory was a wooden frame work which was used to
punish citizens during the enlightenment period. Burrell describes the
Intellectual isolation of academics in their “ivory towers” which
probably effects organisational competence and the mental well-being of
the staff. In his example we can see the academics being in equal
position with the middle manager in organisations, whom both have a
fear of punishment and humiliation from their superiors if they tend to
speak without restraint of what they desire to do or choose what is seen
best for the organisations purpose, as such decisions are not to be
meddled with but to be respected in accordance to the hierarchical
protocols laid out by the superiors. These groups of middle managers
mentioned usually tend to escape reality rather than face being pilloried
and “going west”.
This chapter could be very relevant to the term; thought crime from the
works of Orwell, G. (1949) “1984”. It has been known to be a dystopian
literature which warns the current society if it is to run on the same
constant path they would have to face a consequence which might be
ridiculously unfavourable. Similar to the idea of the staff being victims
of pillorying could be seen in the main character’s diary of 1984;
“Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death.” Or put in
Burrell’s words “going west”.
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Uniquely in this chapter Burrell tends to relate the present with the past
rather than vice versa in an attempt to warn future organisations that
“Each of these groups is punished. Each of them has things to confess.
Each of them has been subject to lambasting. Each has suffered violence
of the tongue.” (Burrell, 1997)

Last but not least imperative in the themes which Pandemonium has
focused on is the Hall of Mirrors. In relation to understanding
organisations in our contemporary world Burrell links the former topics
in this section symbolized as an attraction game which usually is present
at amusement parks and its main objective is to drive the victim into
oblivion. “All you see before you is postmodern superficiality” (Burrell,
1997) It could be argued that the final exhibit tends to show us all the
previous exhibits at once in order to perceive reality as the topics
discussed cannot be viewed as he has described but are masked by the
organisations. The merely visible replica of superficiality in our societies
are those of men whose statues were lifted and torn down, but these
men did not represent individuals but represented ideologies; those
such as Lenin and rulers of the new world whom are multi-national
corporations such as Ford and McDonalds. He argues that what we
perceive is nothing but a necropolis of organisations and societies.

It is very clear that Pandemonium lays an eye on topics which are rarely
approached in understanding of organisational theory. Although the
book warns the reader not to search for a specific theory or a study and
it is nothing but a “ludibrium”. As mentioned earlier, retro-
organisational theory may not contribute to the progress of
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contemporary organisational understanding but may give a lead in the

study of the alarming will to uphold and encourage woman rights in the
work force and society.
Although behavioural control through observation has not always
proven itself, as crimes are still being committed and an increase in
implementation of a “maximum security society” could only mean
violation of privacy. Ironically the book controls the movement of the
reader but yet criticizes mass control and obedience. It is safe to say that
the end result of Pandemonium is what the name states and a pure
extraction of the key points may not be absolutely possible, therefore it
could not lead practitioners to understanding contemporary
organisations but it may potentially be a corner stone for academics to
delve further into the former topics as soon as they perhaps escape their
“Ivory towers”.
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Bibliography

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 Burrell, G. (1997). Fifth Exhibit: The Pillory. In: Pandemonium:

Towards a Retro-Organization Theory. London: Sage publications
Ltd.

 CARTOME. (2001). Theory of Surveillance: The PANOPTICON.

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 Cornell University, Law School. (2010). Policy concerning

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 Lerum, K. (2011). Top 10 sexuality stories of 2010. Available:

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 TIME. (-). 25 People to blame for the Financial Crisis. Available:

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 University of Leicester, School of management. (2008). Gibson

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