Dialectical hegemony and the enactment of contradictory definitions in a rural community planning process

The communicative tensions evident in organizing planning in a rural community are explored. From an organizational perspective, planning involves contestation among groups in regards to established and new ways of organizing. We utilize Weick's (1979) notions of discursive enactment to extend upon Mumby's (1997b) dialectic read of hegemony, or the ways members' narratives operate in constant tension of control and resistance. Our critical analysis of discourse suggests multiple and opposing ideological notions and material experiences of tradition, a knot of enacted dialectics involving outsiders and planning, and tensions managed by engaging a version of tradition that reproduced the status quo. Analysis using this theoretical connection is useful as it uncovers productive and reproductive dimensions of organizing.