“The results of this study cast serious doubt on the ideology of the machine-haters. Even in the American automobile industry, where technology is allegedly most dehumanizing, workers expected satisfaction in their work. The situation differed little in the less industrial countries; autoworkers preferred working to leisure, not out of a...
The science and magic of olfaction
A recent event of the series “Arte in Azienda” offered an exploration of the sense of smell at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. The aim was to get the community and students involved in a sensory experience that calls into question the meanings of smell in consumer culture, communication,...
Smelling digital culture
Digital culture seems to epitomize a scentfree world. Information technologies are clean. The sense of smell seems to be the outsider of a digital world. Isn’t this part of the story we tell about progress and a postindustrial society?
Body odor impacting on other’s work performance
Human body odors can transfer anxiety-related signals. This is a well documented fact. Yet, it is an open question how these signals impact in real-life situations.
“Mindblowing” Workshop on Smelling & Organizing at Tallinn #offegos2018
The 4th Space, Creativity & Organizing Workshop was devoted to the senses – in particular to the sense of smell.
“I sense therefore I am”
Cogito ergo sum is often regarded as the fundamental element of Western thought that laid the grounds for rationalism, scientific progress and modern dichotomies: I think, therefore I am. The title of this post is less well known: I sense therefore I am.
Sensory turn in in management education
Some insights from our recent sensory turn in management education:
Exploring New Odors of Tobacco Consumption
The smell of cigarette smoke including the breath odor of smokers has often been described as a pressing issue in today’s world of work. In fact, it is the smell of smoking that marginalizes smokers at the workplace.
Beyond De-Odorant & Scent-Marketing: The Sense of Smell at the Workplace
It is apparent that the sense of smell can hardly be switched off at the workplace. Yet, business and management research has only recently started to explore its relevance.
Beyond De-odorant & Scent-Marketing: The Sense of Smell at the Workplace
It is apparent that the sense of smell can hardly be switched off at the workplace. Yet, business and management research has only recently started to explore its relevance. A number of research and transfer projects have been conducted at Bern University of Applied Sciences. And there is an upcoming...
The smell of 1930’s Philips light bulb industry
Uncovering the smell of the past Révélateur uncovers the smell of the past and adds a contextual layer of information.
Dressing for success – and scent?
The common slogan “dress for success” underlines the wide-held view that what you wear matters in everyday life. It originates in Erving Goffman’s studies on the social world as a stage. Accordingly, individuals interact as performers. In the context of management and organization studies this mode of interaction has later...
Fragrant Careers? The olfactory presentation of self at the workplace
Individuals who want to be successful in today’s career landscape have to go beyond solid performance and strong results; personal branding is an increasingly important factor as well. Impression management plays a key role in today’s professional world, and one’s olfactory appearance is an integral part thereof. Which strategies and intentions...
Let’s talk about smell – how leaders can face this delicate challenge
If you want to be a good leader you have to learn how to talk about smell. But why? This post covers some recent work on coping with smell in leadership.
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