‘Open Purpose’: Embracing Organizations as Expressive Systems

The concept of purpose gained prominence in organization theory recent years but there are discrepant views its meaning, which we review as evolving and different perspectives: economic theories the firm; stakeholder approaches; integrative social contracts; mission. We elaborate these perspectives terms ebb flow ideas eras. Against instrumental views, revisit work Robert Cooper, namely ever-open expressive organizations, contrast this with fixist organizations. engage logic open sketch a way rethinking general orientation that constantly evolves changes over time interaction ecosystem.