PhD theses
2006
Systems Psychodynamics is unique as an approach to consulting to organisations in the way it integrates three theory streams: psychoanalysis; group relations and open systems theory. Consultants who work in this way focus on the many layers of interactions and exchanges taking place both within organisations and at the interface between an organisation and its external environment. The territory for collaborative exploration with clients extends from interpersonal and group dynamics to service and product- related systems and processes. It is a holistic approach that creates opportunities for transformational learning at every level of the organisation. As a practice, consulting with a systems psychodynamics approach is complex and difficult to master. Arguably, the most challenging dimension of this work for consultants is developing a capacity to think within a psychoanalytic conceptual framework: to discern and hypothesise about unconscious processes in organisations. But what precisely does this mean and what is this experience like for the consultants? This research project was designed to explore and describe the experience of working with a systems psychodynamic approach from the consultants’ perspectives within the Australian context. To this end, 20 consultants who self- selected as working with a systems psychodynamic approach were involved in this research. From the data created in this process, what is documented in this thesis is the first detailed description of the experience of ‘working in this way’ taken from the combined perspectives of these 20 consultants. Further, a systems psychodynamic approach to research is defined and applied in this thesis. In this way, the systems psychodynamics within the temporary ‘system’ created by the research was part of the territory under investigation. This process led to an important discovery. 18 of 20 consultants strongly asserted the importance of working with colleagues in pairs or teams when adopting a systems psychodynamic approach. However, at the time of interviewing, all 20 consultants were working alone and only 3 had immediate plans to work with others. An exploration of the reasons for this gap between beliefs about best practice and actual practice became the focus for the analysis of the data. 2 What is discovered through this analysis is that the reasons why consultants are predominantly choosing to work alone are likely to be complex and irreducible. An exploration of the issues that working together can surface for consultants who apply a systems psychodynamic approach is presented under four sub-topics: system domain issues; theory-related issues; interpersonal issues and intrapsychic issues. In this detailed analysis, what is revealed is an absence of ‘good enough’ containment for the anxieties that are likely to be aroused when consultants work together. To this end, four ‘containers’ are proposed: organisation/brand-as- container; management-as-container; supervision-as-container and theory/praxis-as container. This research has uncovered some important challenges facing the community of practitioners in Australia. It is the contention in this thesis that they need to be addressed if the practice of consulting with a systems psychodynamic approach is to flourish and continue to grow.
2005
This thesis argues the importance of the quality of relation between the individual and the large group in work organisations. The main thrust of this argument is that where relations between the individual and the large organisation are mutually recognising both the individual and the large organisation benefit. The research explores three unstructured large groups through experiences of participants. The conceptual framework underpinning the research follows system psychodynamic traditions. These traditions support in depth exploration of both conscious and unconscious aspects of group life. A multi case study design allows analysis of each of the case studies of the large groups, first separately and then together. Each of the single case analyses reveals patterns of interaction that are thought about as defense against the difficulties of being in the particular large group. The findings of the single case studies then become data for the multicase analysis. In the multicase analysis intersubjective theory is introduced. These theories, along with traditional system psychodynamic theories, allow opportunity to deeply consider the way in which individuals relate to the large group, and the impact of this relation on the formation and development of the large group. The multicase analysis shows the difficulties group members had in asserting themselves and finding recognition in each of the large groups. The analysis also shows that despite these problems members continued to seek a recognising relation to the large group. This type of recognition, ‘large group recognition’, is distinguished from recognition found within interpersonal relations. The multicase data suggests group members found large group recognition through direct and representative relations to the formal authorities and through subgroup competition. However, this recognition appeared to be characterised by dynamics of domination and submission rather than by mutual recognition. In intersubjective terms this is the dialectic of the master and slave. Recognition garnered through a master slave dynamic is understood to be compromised and vi deplete of the self-affirming qualities of mutuality. Consequently, where large group culture and structure are characterised by, and perpetuate master slave dynamics, the large group and the individual do not function optimally. This is proposed as the circumstance in the large groups of this study. Specifically, it is argued that the large size of the groups, along with tendencies towards patriarchal structure and culture, were instrumental in fostering master slave dynamics in each of the groups. To conclude the thesis the research findings are considered with respect to large work organisations. This discussion explores the value of organisational contexts informed by mutuality, most particularly as organisations face the challenges of the post industrial era.