Date of Award
12-1-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Specialization
Communication and Leadership
School or Department
School of Leadership Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Alexa Dare
Second Advisor
Dr.Poutiatine Michael
Abstract
This qualitative study explored the role of dialogue during sensemaking and how that affects receptivity to organizational change. The philosophical framework for this study comes from Buber’s (1958) I and Thou dialogue theories concerning the value of existential acknowledgement. Both communication and organizational study theories grounded this research. Bohm (1996) and Isaacs’ (1999) dialogue theories converge with Weick’s (1995) sensemaking theories as a means to explore the role of listening during organizational change. Data was obtained through ethnographic observation and interview. A cultural research framework provided the means to explore the relationships between dialogue, sensemaking and organizational change. The results suggest that existential acknowledgement from feeling heard during collective sensemaking facilitates group change receptivity. The findings further communication studies and organizational studies in regards to the role of dialogue within sensemaking, as well as social psychology studies concerning effective listening as it relates to the phenomenon of feeling heard.
Recommended Citation
Stratton, Dianna L., "Listening To Organizational Change: Exploring Dialogue During Sensemaking" (2012). Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses. 131.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/comlead_etds/131
Included in
Communication Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons
Comments
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