Reconfiguration in the context of BPR
by Patrick Dawson, Jimmy Huang
International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management (IJIEM), Vol. 1, No. 4, 2003

Abstract: This paper examines the dynamic relationship between organising knowledge and political process in the context of business process redesign (BPR). Empirical evidence was collected from one of the biggest retailers in the UK. Findings derived from a qualitative analysis of longitudinal case study data suggest that change involves complex battles of stories that inform and shape both how knowledge is organised and how knowledge organises. These contested stories illustrate how there is rather more going on than a simple replacement of one organisational narrative with a new consensual meta-narrative. Although BPR introduced a version of change that seeks to claim a preferential right of interpretation and officiality, the ambiguity of the concept leaves open room for ''political'' manoeuvring. We conclude that the emergence of dominant official story of change (which represents a form of ''stored'' knowledge on change) remains open to redefinition. The coexistence of competing narratives demonstrates how the collective sense making of new business processes is not simply based on an uncontested version of past and present experience, but is intrinsically a political process in which organisational members attempt to re-landscape collective views on change.

Online publication date: Mon, 10-May-2004

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management (IJIEM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com