Abstract
The mainstream perspective on organizational paradox is underpinned by a both/and thinking, i.e., striving to achieve both of two opposite things. Yet, pursuing contradictory objectives simultaneously is not an easy task to do, which often leads to stress. From a Buddhist perspective, any human suffering (including stress) is caused by one’s desire for more (e.g., more than one objective). Therefore, the both/and thinking, or the desire for having both opposite things can be seen as the cause of rather than the solution to the paradoxical tension. In this paper, I present a ‘Neither-And’ solution – a unique combination of neither/nor as the primary thinking and both/and the secondary – to paradox that is inspired by Buddhism, quantum physics, and James March’s writings. The Neither-And solution can be called Confucian Buddhist solution to paradox, with ‘Buddhist’ (neither/nor) denoting giving up or letting go the extrinsic desire to meet two opposite goals as extrinsic expectations and ‘Confucian’ (both/and) denoting pursuing with intrinsic desire for either or both of opposite goals according to the logic of appropriateness.
Original language | English |
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Publication date | 2019 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Event | “Remember James March” Conference - New International Conference Center, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China Duration: 17 Jun 2019 → 18 Jun 2019 https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/business/events/remember-james-march-conference.aspx |
Conference
Conference | “Remember James March” Conference |
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Location | New International Conference Center, University of Nottingham Ningbo China |
Country/Territory | China |
City | Ningbo |
Period | 17/06/2019 → 18/06/2019 |
Internet address |