Enron: Media Ritualization Of Deviance Essay

Deviance is a term used to describe behavior that goes against the established social and cultural norms. This behavior can have significant consequences for individuals, especially when committed by those who have power in society (Little, n.d., p. 4). The normalization of deviance can occur when unacceptable practices or standards become a new acceptable norm. Eventually, the deviant individuals themselves begin to believe that this behavior is routine and normal (Little, n.d., p. 9). Knottnerus et al. (2006) in their article, “Exposing Enron: Media representations of ritualized deviance in corporate culture”, discussed the role of rituals in the development of normalization of deviance at Enron (p.177). The authors provide an unique perspective and explanation as to the cause of the collapse of Enron that is rarely seen in the current literature. As such, this paper will analyze and critique the article, paying close attention to its strengths and weaknesses, for the purpose of reaching a better …show more content…
As such, this case still has significant implications for big corporations to this day (Knottnerus et al. 2006, p. 190). For example, the article suggests that what happened in Enron may also occur in “other American corporations” since under “similar legal constraints, a degree of similarity exists between corporations” (Knottnerus et al. 2006, p. 190). Additionally, by understanding the factors that influence deviance in organizational settings, the government would also be in a better position to plan and implement public administration and policies to counteract and reduce the existence of normative deviance. In conclusion, this study provides an unique explanation to the collapse of Enron, and has broader implications for further research on deviance (Knottnerus et al. 2006, p.191