Interorganizational Collaboration and Collective Change: A Sensemaking Perspective

• In Event: Organizational Communication Research Escalator - Extended Session

Abstract

This extended abstract details a study in progress that addresses the overlap of two well-established areas of research in organizational communication: organizational change and interorganizational relationships (IORs). The purpose of this study is to better understand how communication effects the change implementation efforts of an interorganizational taskforce that is comprised of representatives from 10 governmental and community-based nonprofit organizations. This taskforce was formulated to address ongoing concerns of substance abuse issues and, as such, aims to change policies and programs across all involved organizations. A sensemaking perspective is utilized to examine the collective meaning-making of participants as decisions are made and changes are implemented. Data collection will include prolonged observations of taskforce interactions, in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, and document collection.

Author

• Carrisa S Hoelscher, The University of Oklahoma