Question
Asked 9 June 2016

How do you apply Weick's sensemaking framework?

One aspect that is lacking in the literature (or perhaps I haven't found it) is the methodological implications of Weick's sensemaking framework. In other words, what does it mean to use sensemaking as a method for analysing the data? Is sensemaking some kind of analytical framework? How do you 'make sense' of the data?
I am interested in learning from those who have applied sensemaking in their research.
Ahmad

Most recent answer

Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Christian Holst Many thanks for sharing this research.

All Answers (15)

Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Hi Maryam,
Many thanks for the response and the resources. Much appreciated. 
If sensemaking is a theoretical framework for conducting phenomenological research, and not a method of analysis, then how would a study using sensemaking be different than any other phenomenological study using thematic analysis, for example? I am just trying to understand the methodological implications of using sensemaking. Does using sensemaking shape data analysis in any way? If yes, how?
Thanks again.
Sjors Witjes
Radboud University
Dear Ahmad,
I have not applied the framework itself, but a colleague of mine has been using it for her longitudinal study of Corporate Sustainability in a specific firm. Please find below links to her articles:
Cramer, J.M., Heijden, A. Van Der, Jonker, J., 2004. Making Sense of Corporate Social Responsibility. J. Bus. Ethics 3* 55, 215–222. doi:10.1007/s10551-004-1903-0
Cramer, J., Heijden, A. van der, Jonker, J., 2006. Corporate social responsibility: making sense through thinking and acting. Bus. Ethics A Eur. Rev. 15, 380–389. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8608.2006.00459.x
Heijden, A. van der, Cramer, J.M., Driessen, P.P.J., 2012. Change agent sensemaking for sustainability in a multinational subsidiary. J. Organ. Chang. Manag. 25, 535–559. doi:10.1108/09534811211239218
Heijden, A. van der, Driessen, P.P.J.J., Cramer, J.M., 2010. Making sense of Corporate Social Responsibility: Exploring organizational processes and strategies. J. Clean. Prod. 18, 1787–1796. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.07.024
Best of luck!
Sjors
1 Recommendation
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Hi Maryam,
Many thanks again for taking the time to write such a detailed response. And thank you for the great resources. 
The second example of a research question, using phenomenology as a methodology and sensemaking as a theoretical framework, is very similar to the research question I have recently developed. That's interesting. 
Yes, you have certainly answered my question. Things are much clearer now.
Thanks,
Ahmad
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Dear Sjors,
Many thanks for providing these resources. 
Ahmad
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Hi Harshvardhan,
Thank you so much for these references (some of which I already have). They all seem very helpful, especially the paper by Termeer & van den Brink.
Regards,
Ahmad
Albert James Mills
Saint Mary's University
Jean Helms Mills and I have written quick extensively on sensemaking and particularly critical sensemaking. We both have posted our relevant book chapters, papers and articles on research gate and are available for download
1 Recommendation
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Professor Mills,
Many thanks for contributing to this question. I will have a look at your publications with Jean Helms Mills and will download and read the relevant ones.
Thanks, Ahmad.
Maiken Vibede
Design School Kolding
@Mr. Salih, I am currently dealing with the same question and cannot see some of the answers you got. Did you find a framework to support analysis using Sensemaking framework?
Best regards
Maiken@
Zaheera Soomar
University of Calgary
Ahmad Salih Did you ever manage to find an example where the framework was used to actually analyse sensemaking in a situation or change context? Im busy with my research and analysing sensemaking within an organization related to Covid 19 and migration to remote work. Im planning to use cristofaros updated framework for sensemaking which is based of Weicks model. But id be keen to see how Weicks model was used a tool to analyse sensemaking. Did you come across anything?
Christian Holst
Leuphana University of Lüneburg
I found this research quite interesting: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/109518. It does not draw on the 1995 book but on a paper from 2005 describing different phases of sensemaking.
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Zaheera Soomar I actually discontinued my doctoral journey later in 2016 due to personal circumstances. Good luck with your research.
Ahmad Salih
Robert Gordon University
Christian Holst Many thanks for sharing this research.

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