Page 34 - Management Digest Udyama Vol 1 Isuue 2

Glimpse of Symbolic

Egalitarianism

Social equality, which the Pfeiffer (1994) and Bolman &
organizations are highly Deal (2003) highlight the fact
concerned about, is considered that in the New United Motor
a key concept for the betterment Manufacturing, everyone dines
of mankind. Assigning power to in the same cafeteria, where no
various ‘managerial positions’ special allotments for executive
in the organizations inevitably dining rooms are allocated.
initiates a gap among employees, Everyone in this organization,
which carry the potential of wears a blue smock and parking The symbols include
affecting the confidence of the spaces are not reserved for the
employees; predominantly, individuals; the motto of NUMMI visible signs, such
the ones in the bottom levels. is ‘There are no managers, no as dresses and
Symbolic egalitarianism, in this supervisors, only team members’. dress codes, use of
context, provides a somewhat In the military context, all the
successful solution. Symbolic military personnel wear a uniform physical space such
egalitarianism, as Iddagoda & with certain commonalities which as common cafeteria,
Opatha in 2018 identifies, is a represent the military. i.e. Army, common parking area
competitive advantage and at the Navy and Air force. For instance,
same time a high performance in Sri Lanka Navy the uniform and constant office
work practice. Our main focus is colours are Navy blue and white. arrangements. These
on the symbolic egalitarianism Egalitarian symbols are found in are some of the most
in the business as well as in the different forms and versions. As
military contexts. Pfeiffer (1994) states, in certain frequently employed
organizations, it is ‘dress’; hardly ways of implementing
Symbolic egalitarianism is any worker in a manufacturing symbolic
using symbols to minimize facility is not familiar with the
the differences between the phrase ‘the suits are coming’, egalitarianism....
levels of employees, whose which refers to people from
purpose is achieving a common headquarters who are usually
organizational goal. The symbols more formally dressed. Pfeiffer
include visible signs, such (1994) stated how pins with the
as dresses and dress codes, organization’s insignia or logo are
use of physical space such as used by Japanese organizations,
common cafeteria, common which is worn by everyone to
parking area and constant office indicate that the person is a part of Sri Lanka Navy, irrespective
arrangements. These are some the organization. When it comes of their ranks. That common
of the most frequently employed to naval context Sri Lanka all Naval logo consists of Dhamma
ways of implementing symbolic the officers and sailors wear a Chakkraya, anchor of a ship and
egalitarianism. common logo representing the lion, mainly.

32 September 2021