When Sense is Not Common: Alternatives to Hierarchy at Work

Abstract

Alternative, non-hierarchical working arrangements often 'degenerate' over time into ordinary hierarchies. The argument is often made that this degeneration proves that hierarchy is superior as an organizational form. This paper argues instead that one reason for such phenomena is the very ordinariness of hierarchy at work, its commonsense character. Members of a work setting construct common sense situationally, and do so with taken-for-granted assumptions of hierarchy-as-normal. Thus, they achieve a hierarchy without trying. New 'forms' of common sense are required for the viability of non-hierarchical working arrangements.