<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,238);text-decoration:underline"><font size="4"><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3842-stupid-business-moves.html" target="_blank">http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3842-stupid-business-moves.html</a></font></span></div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,238);text-decoration:underline"><br></span></div><span style="line-height:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif">New research has found that </span><em style="line-height:16px;font-style:normal;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-weight:bold">functional stupidity</em><span style="line-height:16px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif"> can help companies in the short term by blocking doubt and communication.</span></div>
<div><span style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif"><br></span></div><div><span style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">"It is a double-edged sword. It is functional because it has some advantages and makes people concentrate enthusiastically on the task in hand," said Alvesson, who conducted the research with colleague André Spicer. "It is stupid because risks and problems may arise when people do not pose critical questions about what they and the organization are doing." </span></div>
<div>...</div><div><span style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">Not surprisingly, certain industries are more likely to accept functional stupidity as a part of their corporate identity. In particular, the researchers found that industries that sell intangible services and branded products are more likely to develop atmospheres with functional stupidity. </span></div>
<div><p style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">"Functional stupidity is prominent in economies that are dominated by persuasion using images and symbolic manipulation," said Alvesson. "It is preferable that people have an <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/901-boss-attitude-improves-employee-performance.html" style="color:rgb(139,23,34)" target="_blank">enthusiastic belief</a> in an activity which may not necessarily fulfill a need. New management may be required to manage the fine balance and possible pitfalls of functional stupidity."</p>
<p style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">The research was published in the November issue of the Journal of Management Studies.</p></div></div>