A Qualitative Study on Representations of Intellectual and Relational Capital Among a Group of Managers in an Italian Trade-Union

The way in whichmanagers perceive their organization’s intellectual and social capital has\r\nan impact in shaping their choices and how they lead change. The aim of the study was\r\nto explore how the managers of a trade union framed the role of its intangible assets in a\r\ncontext of organizational change. A qualitative approach was used; 30 semi-structured\r\ninterviews were conducted with the leaders of a trade union and then analyzed using\r\nthe method of thematic analysis. Particular attention was paid to the metaphors the\r\nmanagers used to narrate change. The hypothesis underlying this approach is that\r\nmetaphors are a meaningful resource in that they can convey how organization and its\r\nintangible assets are framed. In the results, three “root metaphors” are illustrated—the\r\ntrade union seen either as a system of domination, an organism, or a culture—together\r\nwith the consequences of each of these images for the perception and value attributed to\r\nthe trade union’s intangible assets. In conclusion, implications for changing management\r\npractices and for further research are discussed.