Emotion and appraisal; a Foucauldian analysis

Miri, Minoo (2017) Emotion and appraisal; a Foucauldian analysis. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Performance appraisal is recognised as both a social and emotional process with significant ramifications. This thesis draws upon Michel Foucault’s thought on disciplinary power to conceptualise the appraisal as a tool for exercising power over employees to direct their conduct through differential distribution of rewards and punishments which in turn allocate differential value and worth to employees. It is suggested that this differential distribution of rewards and punishments elicit an array of emotions which in turn contribute to the exercise of disciplinary power by shaping employee conduct mainly in line with organisational goals. This thesis also suggests that the disciplinary mechanisms of appraisal and other organisational processes are strengthened by an enterprise discourse that attempt to govern employees through a combination of disciplinary power and technologies of the self.
It is suggested that Foucault had not developed a role for emotions in his thought on disciplinary power and governmentality. This research aims to contribute to his thought by suggesting that emotions play a role in the exercise of disciplinary power and governmentality.
This empirical research was conducted in a UK organisation that undertake performance centred evaluative appraisal with data being collected mainly from 35 semi-structured interviews with 35 participants over a 10-month period. In addition, data was collected from organisational documents, web pages and a day spent observing organisational orientation of new recruits. Utilising a social constructionist perspective, this study employed a narrative and thematic approach to the analysis of interview transcripts and identification of emotions in participant narratives.
This thesis also addresses gaps in appraisal research by extending our understanding of the role of emotion in the appraisal as well as extending research on emotions of control in organisations by consideration of the role of emotions in appraisal in attaining conformity and control of employee conduct.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
Depositing User:	Zoe White
Date Deposited:	18 Jun 2025 14:47
Last Modified:	18 Jun 2025 14:47
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99637
DOI:

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