The Inherent Limitations in Appreciative Inquiry: Democratic Evidence That Demands Polyvocality

• In Event: 67.069 - Sheraton Roundtable 14 - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 67.069-6 - Diversifying the Academy: Perspectives of Organizational Transformation

Abstract

In this study we examined a community college in the Northeast where the principles of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) were embedded in institutional culture. Through an interpretive case study focused on three micro-cases, interviews, observations, and documents revealed the embedding of AI (or not). Participants identified the underlying principles of AI embedded in institutional culture in various ways, concomitantly with limitations. In contrast to data identifying its presence, alongside any limitations, one participant’s counter-story departed from other narratives. Our findings through this divergent narrative, in concert with identified limitations, and the self-limitations in AI, identified voices who were not heard. The Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation, coupled with these data, and the counter-story narrative identified AI’s lack of polyvocality.

Authors

• Dan W Royer, Ball State University

• Amanda O. Latz, Ball State University