A sensemaking perspective on collaborative learning as the driver of innovation

Date
2016-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: The thesis explores the concept of organisational innovation as a process of collaborative learning. It takes its point of departure the sensemaking theory of Karl E Weick. Through the this lens the thesis highlights the steps involved in the innovation process and how relevant they are to innovation management. Chapter 1 introduces the scope and focus of study, highlighting the delimiters, assumptions and theories for research. Chapter 2 explores different theories on innovation that have been presented over the years. It also discusses the process of diffusion that innovation goes through. Chapter 3 explains Weick’s sensemaking theory in detail. It singles out four of the properties of sensemaking, occasions for sensemaking and vocabularies of sensemaking. Chapter 4 discusses different schools of thought in the area of organisational learning and links this knowledge management as a complementary theory to organisational learning. Chapter 5 defines the concept of collaboration and discusses collective intelligence, collective action and communities of practice. Chapter 6 presents thoughts on the implications of the research with regard to organisational innovation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis ondersoek die konsep van organisatoriese innovasie as synde ‘n proses van kollaboratiewe leer. Die vertrekpunt is die sensemaking teorie van Karl E Weick. Deur hierdie lens word die stappe in ‘n innovasieproses belig en in verband gebring met innovasiebestuur. Hoofstuk 1 sit die skopus en fokus van die tesis uiteen. Begrensing, aannames en keuses van teoretiese invalshoeke word gemotiveer. Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek verskeie skole van denke oor innovasie, asook die rol van diffusie in die innovasieproses. Hoofstuk 3 verduidelik Weick se sensemaking in besonderhede en beklemtoon veral 4 kenmerke, die omstandighede vir sensemaking en die verskillende woordeskatte van sensemaking. Hoofstuk 4 bespreek die verskillende skole van denke met betrekking tot orgaisatoriese leer en bring dit in verband met kennisbestuur. Hooftsuk 5 definieer die konsep van kollaborasie en bespreek ook kollektiewe intelligensie, aksie en praktyk. Hoofstuk 6 bied die gevolgtrekkings aan wat gemaak is uit die ondersoek van innovasie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 1916.
Keywords
Organizational change, Organizational effectiveness, Sensemaking theory, Organizational innovation, Collaborative learning, UCTD
Citation