Organizing work ethico-aesthetic practice

Currently we are witnessing fundamental changes in the organization of work, which are associated with far- reaching challenges to both individuals and organizations. The project aims to respond to these challenges on an empirical and on a theoretical-conceptual level. In particular the project aims to re-conceptualize "organization" in a way that goes beyond technical-instrumental views and treats questions of ethics and of creativity/aesthetics as immanent to organizational practices and processes. Empirically the project focuses on practices of organizing in the important yet under-researched field of the so- called "creative industries". In this field "culturepreneurs" and the unfolding of their creativity are essential factors that determine both the success and the form of organizations. With respect to the organization of work, this field is seen as playing a precursor role. These forms are paradigmatic for a new, "post-disciplinary" mode of organizing work that is characterised by high levels of flexibility, mobility, creativity, self-responsibility and self- management. The analysis of the creative potentials as well as the limitations and demands associated with these forms of work, promises insights that go far beyond the narrower field of study. The investigation of practices of organizing in the creative industries (in particular music industry, theatre and architecture branch) will firstly allow a deeper understanding of the effects that different forms of work and the associated modes of organizing have on the life-world of working people and the subjectivities of human beings. Secondly, it will provide the empirical basis for a grounded theorizing that will lead to a re-conceptualization of management and organization of work as ethico-aesthetic practice. Besides this innovation on a theoretical- conceptual level, the investigation of this field will, thirdly, provide genuine insight into a sector to which a considerable prognostic potential is attributed. Therefore, a high degree of "cross-fertilization" is to be expected.

Currently we are witnessing fundamental changes in the organization of work, which are associated with far- reaching challenges to both individuals and organizations. The project aims to respond to these challenges on an empirical and on a theoretical-conceptual level. In particular the project aims to re-conceptualize "organization" in a way that goes beyond technical-instrumental views and treats questions of ethics and of creativity/aesthetics as immanent to organizational practices and processes. Empirically the project focuses on practices of organizing in the important yet under-researched field of the so- called "creative industries". In this field "culturepreneurs" and the unfolding of their creativity are essential factors that determine both the success and the form of organizations. With respect to the organization of work, this field is seen as playing a precursor role. These forms are paradigmatic for a new, "post-disciplinary" mode of organizing work that is characterised by high levels of flexibility, mobility, creativity, self-responsibility and self- management. The analysis of the creative potentials as well as the limitations and demands associated with these forms of work, promises insights that go far beyond the narrower field of study. The investigation of practices of organizing in the creative industries (in particular music industry, theatre and architecture branch) will firstly allow a deeper understanding of the effects that different forms of work and the associated modes of organizing have on the life-world of working people and the subjectivities of human beings. Secondly, it will provide the empirical basis for a grounded theorizing that will lead to a re-conceptualization of management and organization of work as ethico-aesthetic practice. Besides this innovation on a theoretical- conceptual level, the investigation of this field will, thirdly, provide genuine insight into a sector to which a considerable prognostic potential is attributed. Therefore, a high degree of "cross-fertilization" is to be expected.