The Business Concept as a Symbol

This article explores the meaning of the business concept in the context of a professional service (knowledge-intensive) company. It is based on a study of a Swedish computer consultancy company (CCC), covering a wide set of aspects (Alvesson, 1995), only a few of which are addressed here. The study is grounded in a cultural approach to management, that is, it focuses on the level of shared meanings, ideas, and symbolism, which are viewed as significant elements in how companies as socioeconomic phenomena function. The article then aims to make an empirical and theoretical contribution in three respects: (1) developing the understanding of the business concept, (2) illuminating certain aspects of the of professional service companies, and (3) illustrating how a cultural approach to business and organizations also provides insights about themes conventionally understood in analytic, objective, and rationalistic ways. While the first aspect refers to certain core aspects of macro management and organizational functioning, the second involves a specific type of organizations, and the third is mainly a matter of a certain form of understanding the use of culture as a metaphor for organizations.