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Innovation Amidst Turmoil: A SenseMaker Study of Managerial Responses to the COVID‑19 Crisis in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Michael P. Schlaile
  • Veronica Hector
  • Luis Peters
  • Lukas Bäuerle
  • Beth Smith
  • Annette Hilt
  • Silja Graupe

Abstract

We present the results of an exploratory study of transformation processes in “wicked problem situations”, faced by 623 German managers due to the COVID-19 crisis during summer 2021. Our study draws on a fruitful combination of sustainability transitions research, complexity theory, cognition in economics, meme theory, and sensemaking by using the SenseMaker® software platform as a data collection and analysis tool on patterns of meaning in managerial self-signification and interpretation of their own decisions. We contribute to current interdisciplinary debates by presenting an empirical study on sensemaking during the COVID-19 pandemic that uncovers the narrative patterns of managers during uncertain decision situations. Our results suggest that while new habits have emerged and human ingenuity and creativity is acknowledged, participants of our study appear to lack a strong vision of a sustainable future beyond green growth and the dominant techno-economic paradigm. JEL Codes: B59, D80, H12, I19, L21, M14, O31, O35, Z13

Suggested Citation

  • Michael P. Schlaile & Veronica Hector & Luis Peters & Lukas Bäuerle & Beth Smith & Annette Hilt & Silja Graupe, 2024. "Innovation Amidst Turmoil: A SenseMaker Study of Managerial Responses to the COVID‑19 Crisis in Germany," Journal of Innovation Economics, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(1), pages 285-318.
    • Handle: RePEc:cai:jiedbu:jie_pr1_0154
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation; Sensemaking; Narratives; Pandemic; Crises; Memes; COVID-19; Sustainability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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