Speech as a way of constructing change in space: Opposing and conforming discourses in workplace change process
Abstract
Purpose
This article presents a model of employees' rhetorical patterns, which take place during a workplace change.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of discourse analysis is used to investigate employees' perceptions of and dispositions to the change. In total, 21 semi‐structured interviews were conducted in two organizations before and after moving to open plan offices.
Findings
People tend to frame the change in space by either opposing or conforming ways of making sense. Opposing discourses include rhetorical strategies of social community versus own responsibility, believing in a hidden agenda of management, and distancing oneself. Conforming discourses include social community versus individual opinion, including oneself, and trusting the professionals. Additionally it was found that employees tend to be ambiguous with their messages when interviewed during a workplace change process.
Social implications
Acknowledging the results of this paper can help workplace managers to make a difference between naturally occurring change resistance among employees and well justified disagreement with the content of the change. Also, the results help workplace managers to understand the rhetoric and behaviour of employees' during a workplace change.
Originality/value
The methodology of discourse analysis is rarely used in facilities management research and is thus a method to be considered in future studies of FM.
Keywords
Citation
Airo, K., Rasila, H. and Nenonen, S. (2012), "Speech as a way of constructing change in space: Opposing and conforming discourses in workplace change process", Facilities, Vol. 30 No. 7/8, pp. 289-301. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771211220095
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited