Unpacking the ambiguous work of middle managers: on the ongoing becoming in liminality

ABSTRACT

In this article, I propose that the work of middle managers can meaningfully be conceptualized as a form of liminal work herby drawing attention to the interstitial (spatial) and temporary (temporal) elements of organizing and work. Building on a case study of emerging middle management positions within schools in Denmark, I show that working ‘in’ the middle is demarcated by entanglements of spatio-temporalities and other discourse-materialities producing a liminal friction that reconfigures this work as permanently liminal. Inspired by new materialism and the work of Karen Barad, I utilize the concept of spacetimemattering to analytically unpack these work practices that materialize in and through multiple times and spaces and matter and thereby elucidate the constitutive processes and performative effects of the ambiguous work of middle managers. To this end, the article offers an analytical understanding that expands a focus on hierarchical forms of organizing as a core issue of ambiguity.

KEYWORDS:

• Middle management work
• liminality
• ambiguity
• spacetimemattering
• karen barad
• new materialism
• primary and lower secondary schooling in Denmark

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by a research grant from the Danish Ministry of Education and is part of a PhD project (2018–2021).