Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2000
Abstract
Studies of the cognitional process of sensemaking in organizations have generally been conducted in two different settings. The first is some type of disaster, natural or otherwise. The second is a long-term organizational process such as the merging of two departments. In both cases the researchers tend to rely heavily on after-the-fact interviews and formal documentation. The outcome of this case study is a rich description of the nature of sensemaking process in hospital strategic planning retreat that is formulated in such a way as to provide an exemplar for practitioners working with similar concerns in similar settings. The case study was intentionally conducted during a relatively concentrated time period in order to highlight the real-time observation of the sensemaking process. Using the case study as a unit of analysis the researcher found some conceptual gaps and inconsistencies in the literature regarding generic vs. intersubjective sensemaking and in the understanding of the relationship between sensemaking and sensegiving. The researcher suggests that strategic planners may want to limit their use of data in planning sessions in order to provide a context in which intersubjective sensemaking is more likely to occur. Further the researcher argues that there is a positive value to intersubjective sensemaking vis-a-vis sensegiving as a desired mode of interaction for organizational planners.
Keywords
psychology, industrial
Rights
© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Department/Center
Design & Innovation
Recommended Citation
Lehman, George, "Sensemaking in a Hospital Strategic Planning Process" (2000). Student Scholarship. 374.
https://commons.case.edu/studentworks/374