The emergence of sensemaking through socio-material practices
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN: 0953-4814
Article publication date: 13 November 2019
Issue publication date: 8 July 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of how sensemaking occurs as a holistic, processual phenomenon during an organisational change.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal, qualitative case study was conducted by analysing video-recorded meetings among the staff of two recently merged surgical departments in a university hospital. Sensemaking was approached through the lens of socio-material practices.
Findings
The analysis revealed that material-discursive practices produce sensemaking in various ways, creating a holistic process and a dynamic agency. Four sensemaking practices were identified through which personnel made sense of the development of ward inpatient rounding: facilitated meetings, a status board, video analysis and humour.
Originality/value
This paper identifies diverse sensemaking practices, each of which increases understanding of sensemaking as a holistic, processual phenomenon that emerges through socio-material practices. The paper also enhances practical understanding of how sense is made of a working practice, as well as how a working practice is developed and improved during an organisational change.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to Professor Tuija Mainela from Oulu Business School at the University of Oulu for her valuable comments on the manuscript.
Citation
Jansson, N., Lunkka, N., Suhonen, M., Meriläinen, M. and Wiik, H. (2020), "The emergence of sensemaking through socio-material practices", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 597-607. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-10-2018-0280
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited