Into Darkness: A Study of Deviance in Star Trek
The Contribution of Fiction to Organizational Ethics
ISBN: 978-1-78350-949-2, eISBN: 978-1-78350-948-5
Publication date: 12 September 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to analyse the deviant behaviour of individuals in organisations. Deviants are those who depart from organisational norms. A typology of perceived deviant behaviour is developed from the deviance literature, and subsequently tested.
Methodology/approach
Star Trek: Into Darkness text is qualitatively analysed as a data source. Three different character arcs are analysed in relation to organisational deviance. Starfleet is the specific, fictional, organisational context.
Findings
We found that the typology of deviance is conceptually robust, and facilitates categorisation of different types of deviant behaviour, over time.
Research limitations/implications
Deviance is socially ascribed; so better categorisation of such behaviour improves our understanding of how specific behaviour might deviate from organisational norms, and how different behaviours can mean individuals can be viewed positively or negatively over time.
Further research might determine management responses to the different forms of deviance, and unpack the processes where individuals eschew ‘averageness’ and become deviants.
Practical implications
The typology advanced has descriptive validity to describe deviant behaviour.
Social implications
Social institutions such as organisations ascribe individual deviants, both negatively and positively.
Originality/value
This chapter extends our understanding of positive and negative deviance in organisations by developing a new typology of deviant behaviour. This typology has descriptive validity in understanding deviant behaviour. Our understanding of both positive and negative deviance in organisational contexts is enhanced, as well as the utility of science fiction literature in ethical analysis.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgement
Star Trek is a trademark owned by CBS Studios Inc. (2013). Citations from this film have been made under the ‘fair use dealing’ clauses for research purposes of the Copyright Act.
The QUT University Human Research Ethics Committee assessed this research as meeting the conditions for exemption from HREC review and approval in accordance with section 5.1.22 of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007).
Citation
Furneaux, J. and Furneaux, C. (2014), "Into Darkness: A Study of Deviance in
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited