The jester embodies an ancient social institution, which serves a paradoxical purpose: to mitigate the excesses of power, while serving and supporting the ruler through a license to jest. The metaphor of the jester, used constructively, offers a unique window on the contradictions of organizational studies and their paradoxical role in relation to corporate practices. We explore how jesting may inform academic work through using humour and laughter to deconstruct organizational taboos and convey truth to power. We suggest that academic jesting constitute a wise and undervalued way in which management learning can occur.

中文翻译：

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对权力说真话：学术作为小丑刺激管理学习

小丑体现了一个古老的社会制度，它服务于一个矛盾的目的：减轻权力的过度，同时通过开玩笑的​​许可服务和支持统治者。建设性地使用小丑的比喻，为了解组织研究的矛盾及其在企业实践中的矛盾作用提供了一个独特的窗口。我们探索开玩笑如何通过幽默和笑声来解构组织禁忌并将真理传达给权力，从而为学术工作提供信息。我们认为学术玩笑构成了管理学习发生的明智且被低估的方式。