Sandwiched: Exploring role and identity of middle managers in the genuine middle

Susann Gjerde, Mats Alvesson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article explores middle managers in the professions from their position in the sandwiched middle. Based upon interviews with senior academics in management roles and their subordinates in UK business schools, we investigate this experienced middle through a metaphor that informs one particular subject position: to be an umbrella carrier. This position entails protecting subordinates from what is seen as unnecessary and/or damaging initiatives and information from top management above, in order to allow for good professional work to take place below. This form of countermanagement, which aims to weaken hierarchical pressure rather than enforce or uphold it, is informed by a stronger identification with the profession and subordinates below than with the leader role or the superiors above, and aids the middle managers in their identity work.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)124-151
JournalHuman Relations
Volume73
Issue number1
Early online date2019 Mar 11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Business Administration
  • Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)

Free keywords

  • identity and protection
  • leadership
  • middle management
  • professions
  • role

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