Belief driven sensemaking and strategy - arguing to identify and amplify weak signals

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is about arguing as a belief driven sensemaking process within a strategy makingenvironment.It is a conceptual analysis which attempts to shed light on ways to improve the modernstrategy making process, through investigating the belief driven aspects of sensemaking, andin particular arguing as a means of identifying and amplifying weak signals.The findings suggest that requisite variety in the identities of the stakeholders in a strategymaking team is important; that mindful sensegiving by stakeholders and the leader not onlyensures awareness but also a focus on the intuitive application of tacit knowledge to identifyweak signals and communicate these to a strategy making team as narratives.Narratives are stories or scenarios which are then debated by the participants in the strategymaking, through a sensemaking process of rational debate or arguing which causesparticipants to set aside previously held beliefs and expectations and create new knowledge,or strengthens existing expectations and knowledge.Although the study has found promising information which may add to the body ofknowledge, this will need to be tested through empirical studies.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University