Emotional kidnapping: appropriating work, forming identity and defining power in the organizations

Abstract

This paper aims to introduce the concept of emotional kidnapping in the literature of organizational studies. The formulation of the concept was originated from qualitative empiric research accomplished in a large Brazilian organization that uses voluntary work. The observation of the dynamics around the voluntary work generated the verification that it happens through an emotional kidnapping that is characterized as a process of appropriation of the work, identity formation and definition of power in the organizations. Therefore, the article presents the meaning of the concept of emotional kidnapping, what for it is applied and what it involves. It also approaches the way like the concept is linked to the organizations and to the organizational studies, as well as the contribution intended for the literature through its introduction.