Breaking the unchangeable pattern of old habits in organization studies: introducing the view of Ravaission’s notion of habit as a dynamic inclination

ABSTRACT

This paper will present and discuss two perspectives on habits in organization studies. The first, which we label the conservative view, sees habit as automatic behaviours: rigidified and lifeless. The second perspective, which is far less discussed in organization studies, views habit as a dynamic inclination and emphasizes its relationship to agency and change. Aiming at debunking the conservative view of habit and unfolding the potential of a more dynamic conceptualization, we explore how Ravaisson’s notion of habit as a dynamic inclination rather than merely conservative automatism may explain how the daily habits of organizational life impact agency and possibilities of change. Secondly, we discuss four ways that habit as inclination can be mobilized to further a dynamic notion of habit in organization studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Habit
• Ravaisson
• behaviourism
• process
• subjectivity

Disclosure statement

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