“I remember it Always Being Dark” Uncovering Hidden Conflicts And Desires in Vulnerable Work Through Dream Analysis

Abstract

Research has started to unpack the notion of 'vulnerable work', a situation in which individuals are stuck in insecure, under-employing jobs. Little is known however about the experience of vulnerable work, the tensions between aspirations and the reality of such work, and its unconscious implications. Through psychoanalytic methods, this paper draws from nocturnal dreams of vulnerable workers to unveil their experience, thus theorising underlying work- related conflicts and desires. This paper provides empirical insights into how workers unconsciously navigate conflicts within vulnerable workplace environments, striving to reconcile their aspirations and desires while contending with the anxieties of their precarious employment. It also offers methodological contributions around psychoanalytic theory particularly dream analysis-which has been largely overlooked in qualitative management research. The paper presents an innovative methodology for collecting and analysing qualitative data through the interpretation of unconscious dreams.

About the speaker

Dr Baker's vision is to produce research that promotes a fairer, more sustainable economy in which hard work leads to meaningful career advancement and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute to a better world. He is particularly focused on addressing socio-economic inequalities, trauma and climate change. By educating, supporting, and empowering organisations to prioritise equity, he aims to contribute to a society where merit and effort drive success and sustainability. This approach not only promotes fairness and sustainability but also enhances innovation and productivity in workplaces. He is Assistant Professor of Responsible Leadership at Monash University. He holds an MA from the University of Oxford and a PhD from King's College London. DrBaker has published in top-tiered journal including Human Relations, Harvard Business Review and Accounting, Organization and Society. Before transitioning to academia, he worked as a management consultant at Accenture and Deloitte, where he designed and delivered projects for FTSE 100 and 250 companies.