Dewald, JimSoomar, Zaheera2024-04-122024-04-122024-04-09Soomar, Z. (2024). Comparative analysis of employee sensemaking across business units in a large organization: implications for organisational sensegiving (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.https://hdl.handle.net/1880/11839410.11575/PRISM/43236The aim of this study is twofold: a) to compare employee sensemaking across corporate and operational business units within a large organization; and b) to examine the sensegiving role of the organization. The research is situated in the context of the transition to remote work prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to investigate how employees in different business units, specifically corporate and operational, have navigated the shift to remote work amidst the pandemic and the associated nuances and considerations. Previous studies on remote work have predominantly focused on scenarios where only a fraction of the workforce operated remotely or with flexible arrangements, typically on an infrequent or part-time basis. The evolution of research on sensemaking has progressed from a solely retrospective process to one that incorporates prospective elements, as well as recognizing the organization's role as a sensegiver. However, there exists a dearth of literature exploring how the sensemaking process varies across distinct business units within an organization, how organizations effectively manage this variance, and what considerations are imperative as they undertake the role of sensegiver. Given the significance of identity within the sensemaking process (Weick et al., 2005), it is essential to explore the potential disparities in how employees across various functional roles within a business engage in sensemaking, as well as the considerations organizations must bear in mind as they fulfill the role of sensegiver. The context of the pandemic presents an unprecedented opportunity to examine sensemaking due to its magnitude, intricacy, and volatile nature. This research endeavors to contribute to the existing literature on remote work, sensemaking, sensegiving within organizational settings, and managerial practices pertinent to sensegiving in the workplace.enUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.sensemakingsensegivingsensemakerremote workvirtual workorganizational changesensegiverSociology--OrganizationalBusiness Administration--Managementdoctoral thesis