Answers for questions to come - Reflective dialogue as an enabler for strategic innovation
Journal
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN
0953-4814
ISSN-Digital
1758-7816
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2005-07-01
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper conceptualizes and theorizes dialogue's diagnostic as well as generative functions for strategic innovation and organizational change. Strategic innovation requires shifts in existing mental models of organizational actors that underlie the overall strategy paradigm of a firm. Dialogue as a form of reflective conversation enables actors to alter managers' mental models through conscious, critical exploration. A conceptual framework introduces reflective dialogue, as a crucial processual element for encouraging shifts in mental maps and as a necessary, but not sufficient condition for strategy innovation. The paper provides an analytical framework for enhancing understanding of the emergent processes of strategic innovation, and for studying shifts in organizational actors' mental models. It provides organizational change agents and strategists with perspectives and frameworks for appreciating and fostering reflective dialogue in the context of strategic thinking and innovation. The paper presents the concept of reflective dialogue and associated frameworks link micro-levels and macro-levels of strategy innovation and address critical process elements.
Language
English
Keywords
conversation
reflective dialogue
strategy
innovation
organizational change
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Emerald
Publisher place
Bradford
Volume
18
Number
4
Start page
338
End page
352
Pages
15
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
20344