# A Stupidity-Based Theory of Organizations

*Alvesson · Critique & Boundary, Culture & Context · Journal of Management Studies · 2012 · Open access*

Proposes 'functional stupidity' — organisationally-supported absence of reflexivity, substantive reasoning, and justification — as an underrecognised feature of organisational life. Argues that stupidity management (repressing doubt, blocking communicative action, enforcing positive narratives) can produce short-term certainty and smooth functioning while generating long-term dissonance and fragility. A direct challenge to knowledge-management orthodoxy and a sociological complement to the PS literature's account of silence.

- **This page:** https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/alvesson-spicer-2012/
- **View the source paper:** https://europe-solidarity.eu/documents/ES_stupidity.pdf
- **Interactive map:** https://explore.psychsafety.com/?mode=papers&node=alvesson-spicer-2012

## Connected concepts (8)

- [Organizational Silence: A Barrier to Change and Development in a Pluralistic World](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/morrison-milliken-2000.md) (paper)
- [Organizational Learning: A Theory of Action Perspective](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/argyris-schon-1978.md) (paper)
- [Taming Prometheus: Talk about Safety and Culture](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/silbey-2009.md) (paper)
- [Watermelon Effect](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/the-watermelon-effect-and-greenwashing.md)
- [Barriers to PS](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/barriers-to-psychological-safety.md)
- [Open Secrets & Half-Baked Ideas](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/psychological-safety-63-open-secrets-half-baked-ideas.md)
- [Types of Silence](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/types-of-silence.md)
- [Westrum's Typologies](https://explore.psychsafety.com/n/psychological-safety-81-westrums-cultural-typologies.md)