Discursive manifestations of contradictions in organizational change efforts: A methodological framework
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new methodological framework for the identification and analysis of different types of discursive manifestations of contradictions. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on the dialectical tradition of cultural‐historical activity theory. The methodological framework is developed by means of analyzing the entire transcribed corpus of the discourse conducted in a change laboratory intervention consisting of eight sessions and altogether 189,398 words. Findings: Four types of discursive manifestations, namely dilemmas, conflicts, critical conflicts, and double binds, could be effectively identified in the data. Specific linguistic cues were a useful first level of approaching the different types of manifestations. Critical conflicts and double binds were found to be particularly effective lenses on systemic contradictions. Research limitations/implications: The paper points to the need for theoretical and conceptual rigor in studies using the notion of contradiction . Further empirical testing of the framework is needed and may lead to more refined or alternative categories. Practical implications: Dynamics of different organizational change interventions may be effectively analyzed and compared with the help of the framework. Originality/value: The paper presents an original, empirically‐tested methodological framework that may be a valuable resource for analyzes of contradictions driving organizational change.
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Although critical conflicts refer to experienced inner conflicts of an individual, their roots are often in contradictions that stem from the culture, institutions and organisations to which the individual is attached.
“Although critical conflicts refer to experienced inner conflicts of an individual, their roots are often in contradictions that stem from the culture, institutions and organisations to which the individual is attached (Engeström and Sannino 2011; Sannino 2010).”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
The discursive manifestation of these conflicts or inner tensions can appear as critical conflicts or double-binds.
“The discursive manifestation of these conflicts or inner tensions can appear as critical conflicts or double-binds (Engeström and Sannino 2011; Sannino 2010).”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
Tensions and contradictions, and their discursive manifestations, such as critical conflicts and double binds, can be seen as a means of arousing (and tracing) changes in one's identity and I-positioning.
“Tensions and contradictions, and their discursive manifestations, such as critical conflicts and double binds (Engeström and Sannino 2011; Sannino 2010), can be seen as a means of arousing (and tracing) changes in one ' s identity and I-positioning.”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
Anna's emotionally and morally charged personal distress is manifested in conflicting motives.
“Her emotionally and morally charged personal distress is manifested in confl icting motives (Engeström and Sannino 2011; Sannino 2010).”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
There is a contradiction in Anna's discourse that can be explained through the concept of double-bind.
“There is a contradiction in Anna ' s discourse that can be explained through the concept of double-bind (Engeström and Sannino 2011).”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
In Anna's discourse, there is a continuous tension between different value and activity systems.
“The above examples show how, in Anna ' s discourse, there is a continuous tension between different value and activity systems (Engeström and Sannino 2011);”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
Anna's interview demonstrates the personal liberation she felt when leaving the previous job that maintained the continuous situation of double-bind and critical conflict for her.
“Anna ' s interview clearly demonstrates the personal liberation (Engeström and Sannino 2011) she felt ( ' I was crying for happiness when I left ' ) when leaving the previous job that maintained the continuous situation of doublebind and critical conflict for her.”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
The resolution of Anna's inner conflict is manifested in finding a new personal sense and negotiating new meanings regarding her professional positioning.
“Similarly, the resolution of the inner conflict is manifested in finding a new personal sense and negotiating new meanings (Engeström and Sannino 2011) regarding her professional positioning.”
From Tensions and striving for coherence in an academic’s professional identity work (2018) · cites this paper as Engeström and Sannino 2011
Systemic, larger societal contradictions are manifested in the discourse of the CL participants and can be depicted by using the activity system model.
“In organisational change efforts systemic, larger societal contradictions (in our case related to health care provision), are manifested in the discourse of the CL participants, and can be depicted by using the activity system model (Engeström & Sannino, 2011).”
From SimLab: an intervention to promote expansive learning and organisational change in team-based emergency care simulation (2025) · cites this paper as Engeström & Sannino, 2011
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Influential
- Authors
- Engeström, Y., & Sannino, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Venue
- Journal of Organizational Change Management
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2011-05-24
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 368-387
- ISSN
- 0953-4814 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1574578141
- Cited by
- 547
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 35.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Organizational Change Management (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Organizational Change and Leadership
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Appreciative Inquiry and Organizational Change
- Keywords
- contradiction, organizational change, cultural-historical activity theory, dilemmas, conflict, double bind, systemic contradictions, linguistic cues, methodological framework
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