A Discursive Sensemaking Perspective on Project-Based Work in Public Healthcare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates project participants’ sensemaking of lived work experiences during periods of organizational change within Finnish public healthcare. It introduces a discursive sensemaking perspective to investigate lived experiences, that is, reflexive practitioners’ situational thinking. Drawing upon 17 interviews, the study identifies diverse repertoires through which the lived experiences are considered meaningful. These are repertoires of: (1) transformation, (2) realism, (3) politics, (4) individuality, (5) reflexivity, and (6) senselessness. The results show that project-based work in public healthcare differs from project participants’ expectations because projects are perceived to increase rather than decrease bureaucracy and include unsustainable working conditions that have to be endured.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)657-672
JournalProject Management Journal
Volume50
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2019
MoEC publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • healthcare
  • lived experience
  • project actuality
  • project-based work
  • sensemaking

Field of science

  • Business and management
  • Psychology

Citation for this output