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Symbolic Interactionism as a Methodology for Process Organization Studies: Grounding the Enactment of Competences in Organizational Life

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  • Svenson, Frithiof
  • Freiling, Joerg

Abstract

Middle managers play a crucial role in organizations linking exploitation and exploration activities (ambidexterity) by boundary spanning and networking activities. The findings from 24 interviews with middle managers in the automotive industry in Europe show that social networking supports individuals in their ambidextrous behavior. Networks used for exploration activities were more heterogeneous than those used for exploitation. Moreover, their contacts provide five benefits in particular to facilitate ambidexterity and to cope with the challenges of digital transformation: providing information, developing new ideas, power promotion, assessment of work and estimation of feasibility

Suggested Citation

  • Svenson, Frithiof & Freiling, Joerg, 2019. "Symbolic Interactionism as a Methodology for Process Organization Studies: Grounding the Enactment of Competences in Organizational Life," Journal of Competences, Strategy & Management, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 10, pages 139-161.
    • Handle: RePEc:rai:jcsman:jcsman-2019-07
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    File URL: https://www.buchhandel.de/buch/9783957103390
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    Keywords

    Management research often treats the competences within firms as fait accompli. Process organization studies can tackle this challenge through focusing on how and why competences emerge. We propose that symbolic interactionism is a suitable process philosophical framework to explore the social organization immanent in the accomplishment of key organizational processes. Through drawing on ethnography and the construction of living stories; a reconstructive empirical study of an organization shows how role taking contributes to competences.;

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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