Derakhshan, Roya; Rashedur, Chowdhury; (2025) Unveiling Corporate Oppression: Firms’ Mobilization of Violence Against Undocumented Migrants. In: Taneja, Sonia, (ed.) Academy of Management Proceedings. Academy of Management: Copenhagen, Denmark.

Text Derakhshanalavijeh_AOM_Unveiling Corporate Oppression.pdf Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 19 June 2026. Download (435kB)

Abstract

Organizational research has long examined the imposition of normative violence by firms. However, the mechanisms through which such violence is initiated, sustained, and propagated within and around organizations remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the experiences of undocumented workers in Italy to uncover how firms contribute to the creation and dissemination of normative violence. Findings reveal that organizations exploit existing legal and social frameworks of violence within society, adapting or generating new harmful norms for use within their structures. Additionally, firms manipulate and redirect resources to exploit undocumented workers. Few of these workers possess the ability to recognize or challenge these oppressive norms and resource manipulations. When resistance occurs, firms often retaliate by penalizing individuals for non-compliance. This research advances the discourse by demonstrating how firms actively craft and enforce violent norms, employing malevolent innovation to sustain corporate oppression. It also explores how firms degrade individuals and influence public perception to heighten social vulnerability. Lastly, the study adds to the growing body of work scrutinizing the role and efficacy of resistance by individuals under oppressive systems.

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