Book excerpt: Hypocrisy - the practice of incorporating different organizational structures, processes and ideologies for internal and external use - is an important feature of viable organizations in modern societies. It is a natural and effective way of achieving organizational legitimacy in a world where organizations are exposed to an increasing number of inconsistent and conflicting norms and demands. Legitimacy, the book suggests, is secured by conflict rather than by unity, and by dealing with problems rather than by providing solutions.