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Sensemaking in crisis situations: Drawing insights from epic war novels

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  • Kalkman, Jori Pascal

Abstract

Soldiers operate under conditions of extreme uncertainty and danger, in which sensemaking is both crucial and challenging. A grounded theory analysis of four epic war novels by veterans (Tolstoy, Remarque, Heller, O’Brien) provides insights into soldiers' sensemaking in combat. The findings are of theoretical and methodological relevance. Theoretically, this article contributes to sensemaking theory by identifying alternative sensemaking pathways besides the traditional enactment-selection-retention model. Additionally, while existing literature suggests that sensemaking failures result in organizational breakdown, this study shows that personnel may continue to do their work in the (fictional) belief that other organizational members can still make sense of the situation. Finally, methodologically, this article introduces grounded theory as a systematic approach to analyzing novels in contrast to current heterogeneous uses of literary fiction in organization and management studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Kalkman, Jori Pascal, 2020. "Sensemaking in crisis situations: Drawing insights from epic war novels," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 698-707.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:38:y:2020:i:5:p:698-707
    DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2020.02.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joep P. Cornelissen & Saku Mantere & Eero Vaara, 2014. "The Contraction of Meaning: The Combined Effect of Communication, Emotions, and Materiality on Sensemaking in the Stockwell Shooting," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 699-736, July.
    2. Svensson, Martin & Hällgren, Markus, 2018. "Sensemaking in sensory deprived settings: The role of non-verbal auditory cues for emergency assessment," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 306-318.
    3. Sarkar, Soumodip & Osiyevskyy, Oleksiy, 2018. "Organizational change and rigidity during crisis: A review of the paradox," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 47-58.
    4. Dobrogoszcz, Tomasz, 2017. "The planet heals itself: The overkill of Homo sapiens in contemporary literature," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 722-728.
    5. Sally Maitlis & Scott Sonenshein, 2010. "Sensemaking in Crisis and Change: Inspiration and Insights From Weick (1988)," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3), pages 551-580, May.
    6. Joep P. Cornelissen & Saku Mantere & Eero Vaara, 2014. "The Contraction of Meaning : The Combined Effect of Communication, Emotions, and Materiality on Sensemaking in the Stockwell Shooting," Post-Print hal-02313191, HAL.
    7. Karl E. Weick & Kathleen M. Sutcliffe & David Obstfeld, 2005. "Organizing and the Process of Sensemaking," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(4), pages 409-421, August.
    8. Karl E. Weick, 1988. "Enacted Sensemaking In Crisis Situations[1]," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 305-317, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bahri Korbi, Fadia & Ben-Slimane, Karim & Triki, Dora, 2021. "How do international joint ventures build resilience to navigate institutional crisis? The case of a Tunisian-French IJV during the Arab-Spring," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 157-168.
    2. Tine Molendijk & Jori Pascal Kalkman, 2023. "Towards a Soldier-Based View in Research on The Military: An Empathetically Critical Approach," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, January.

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