Saying No: The impact on Custodianship processes of elite organizations

This project explores the impact of ‘saying no’ on custodianship processes in elite organizations.

To do this, we focus on the elite French mountain rescue services in Chamonix (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne; PGHM). Elite organizations, such as the PGHM, are elite not by social status but by professional expertise.

Not only do they perform critical practices in risky contexts to save lives, but they also embody the traditions of which they are the custodians. To them, ‘saying no’ is challenging as it questions the values embedded in their professional practices.

Drawing upon the literature on custodianship, this project aims to how saying “no” shapes custodianship processes in elite organizations.

We will do this in three sub-aims, where we seek toUnderstand why, when, and how elite actors say no in risky contexts;Understand how saying no shapes custodianship processes in elite organizations;Provide practical and policy recommendations for elite rescue organizationsWe deploy a three-year single-case ethnographic study (fieldwork, interviews, workshops) to learn how elite organizations in risky contexts say no.

By embedding ourselves with practitioners and participating in their daily professional lives, we observe the tensions that arise from the situations and custodianship processes. Our project informs the understanding of custodianship processes in elite organizations working under risky conditions.