Office Space as Hyperreality— Using Film as a Postmodern Critique of Bureaucracy

Abstract

In this essay, we contend that the study of popular films serve as a valuable tool in understanding postmodern critiques of public administration. As cultural artifacts,their themes provide great insight into the culture from which they originate. Filmsserve as a means of understanding public perceptions of bureaucracy at a given time and place. Through a critical examination of the film Office Space, we analyze postmodern critiques emphasizing the psychology of bureaucracy among its members. We find that analysis of such films can be powerful pedagogical devices. We argue that films such as Office Space exacerbate negative public perceptions of bureaucracy, thus creating receptive audiences to those elected representatives who wish to vilify administrative agencies. Finally, we conclude by encouraging scholars to continue analysis of popular culture in order to appreciate its latent effects upon public organizations.