Naturalizing, normalizing and neutralizing: metaphors framing the global financial crisis in Nordic banks

Forseth, U; Røyrvik, EA; Clegg, S

Naturalizing, normalizing and neutralizing: metaphors framing the global financial crisis in Nordic banks

Forseth, U Røyrvik, EA Clegg, S

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Publisher:: Taylor and Francis Group
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Culture and Organization, 2023, 29, (2), pp. 157-174
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Forseth, U
dc.contributor.author	Røyrvik, EA
dc.contributor.author	Clegg, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6083-4283
dc.date.accessioned	2024-03-08T00:11:10Z
dc.date.available	2024-03-08T00:11:10Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Culture and Organization, 2023, 29, (2), pp. 157-174
dc.identifier.issn	1024-5286
dc.identifier.issn	1477-2760
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176324
dc.description.abstract	In this paper we discuss metaphors and rhetoric characterizing rationalizations of past banking practices after the global financial crisis of 2008. We draw on qualitative data from six Nordic banks, 2008–2012. Financial advisers and managers sourced their accounts from everyday materials, including popular metaphors and symbols that patterned thought and practice in financial institutions, even in these outposts of the global economy. Vivid metaphors taken from folk tales, nature, food, drink and the spiritual realm were highly suggestive in terms of guiding thought and action and enabling changes in sensemaking and impression management. Metaphors were used both to highlight and to hide phenomena, structures and agency. The analysis provides three main interpretative templates or frames co-constituted by a variety of metaphors, utilized to legitimize banking practices; ‘naturalization’, ‘normalization’ and ‘neutralization’, demonstrating in different ways the practice of doing good, while also revealing unethical practices.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Taylor and Francis Group
dc.relation.ispartof	Culture and Organization
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/14759551.2022.2157831
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Naturalizing, normalizing and neutralizing: metaphors framing the global financial crisis in Nordic banks
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	29
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2024-03-08T00:11:09Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	29
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

In this paper we discuss metaphors and rhetoric characterizing rationalizations of past banking practices after the global financial crisis of 2008. We draw on qualitative data from six Nordic banks, 2008–2012. Financial advisers and managers sourced their accounts from everyday materials, including popular metaphors and symbols that patterned thought and practice in financial institutions, even in these outposts of the global economy. Vivid metaphors taken from folk tales, nature, food, drink and the spiritual realm were highly suggestive in terms of guiding thought and action and enabling changes in sensemaking and impression management. Metaphors were used both to highlight and to hide phenomena, structures and agency. The analysis provides three main interpretative templates or frames co-constituted by a variety of metaphors, utilized to legitimize banking practices; ‘naturalization’, ‘normalization’ and ‘neutralization’, demonstrating in different ways the practice of doing good, while also revealing unethical practices.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176324