Sensemaking: Concept Analysis and Implications for Human Resource Management

The aim of this study is to investigate the nature and application of the sensemaking concept. Applying this framework to analyze human resource management issues can drastically enhance the extant knowledge of those issues and increase the effectiveness of HR practices. However, almost no research has been done -inside Iran- on human resource management and sensemaking.

Conceptual analysis is the primary research approach for this paper. Suddaby conceptual analysis methodology forms the basis of our analyses. According to this model,  we can clarify the meaning of the concepts through conducting four operations on concepts,: defining the concept, demarcating the concept against other related concepts, specifying the scope conditions of the concept and finally illustrating the logical coherence of the concept.

The main findings of this study include clarifying the nature of sensemaking, comparing it to similar concepts such as sensegiving, interpretation and action, specifying its place, time and value scope and illustrating its logical consistency by applying it to the ‘strength of HR systems’ theory.

Sensemaking perspective constitutes a conceptual basis for doing innovative research on HR related areas such as human resources change projects, recruitment and selection, employee socialization, sensemakig competence and sensegiving competence. Applying sensemaking perspective on these areas could enhance the existing understanding of such concepts.