Communicative Strategies and the Evolution of Organisations Facing the New Turbulence: ICTs as Problems and Opportunities

Abstract

Traditional organisational structures are currently being challenged by rapid changes in their environments, primarily caused by the introduction of computer and information technology. Successful transition to new patterns of organisation which makes sense of the complex meaning of these new environments require both ‘creative’ (self organising) and stabilising (self referencing) processes. This paper justifies the theoretical importance of considering communication as a necessary response by organisations to non-linear change. The processes by which organisations might accommodate new organisational turbulence and strategies for creating desirable futures within turbulent organisational environments are considered.

Keywords:

• communication
• organisational change
• organisational learning
• organisational communication
• information and communication technology (ICT) and sense making