The Role of Discourse in Sensemaking under Condition of Radical Change

Kuznetsov, Andrei and Kuznetsova, O (2015) The Role of Discourse in Sensemaking under Condition of Radical Change. In: Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2015, 07 August 2015 - 11 August 2015, Vancouver, Canada. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

As an extension to the established lines of analyses concerned with firms’ adjustment to dynamic operational conditions, this paper explores a sensemaking aspect of this adjustment and applies the context of the abrupt change associated with the discontinuity of the previous business conditions that result in increased uncertainty and discursive disengagement. Following the analysis, the importance of the embeddedness in social and professional networks has appeared as central to the sensemaking capabilities of organisations and individuals; however, the findings suggest that in the “abrupt change” situations the process of “joining in” is hampered by the lack of discursive compatibility. The supporting evidence is derived from the analysis of the developments in the emerging market economies, offers insights from a macro-level perspective by showing the difficulties in embracing the concept of the market.