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The Frankenstein Dilemma: A Qualitative Study of Identity and Sensemaking in a Digitally Transforming Trade Union

Zetterlund, Herman LU and Serrano, Ignacio Joaquin LU (2025) BUSN49 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Foundation and Purpose: This research paper explores identity and sensemaking in the context of organizational change. The theoretical basis is anchored in the context of NPOs, studying the particular case of a trade union in Northern Europe embracing digital transformation. The study of this phenomenon is relevant as it explores a trade union’s efforts to remain current and to continue as a purpose driven organization.
Theoretical framework: We draw from existing and relevant theoretical frameworks in NPOs, organizational change, digital transformation, identity work, sensemaking and language.
Research Methodology: The methodology follows a qualitative study, interpretive tradition and inductive approach. We conducted a total of 15... (More)
Foundation and Purpose: This research paper explores identity and sensemaking in the context of organizational change. The theoretical basis is anchored in the context of NPOs, studying the particular case of a trade union in Northern Europe embracing digital transformation. The study of this phenomenon is relevant as it explores a trade union’s efforts to remain current and to continue as a purpose driven organization.
Theoretical framework: We draw from existing and relevant theoretical frameworks in NPOs, organizational change, digital transformation, identity work, sensemaking and language.
Research Methodology: The methodology follows a qualitative study, interpretive tradition and inductive approach. We conducted a total of 15 semi-structured interviews in two subsets, the first being the leadership team (4 people) and the latter being the change driving team (5 people) at the case organization MPU.
Empirical Findings: In the empirical findings, we untangle how the challenges faced of organizational change had an impact on the involved change team’s interpretations of the ongoing change.
Contribution: The implications of this research are the risks organizations face when internal teams are assigned specialized tasks without sufficient expertise, leading to unclear roles, poor coordination, and fragmented understandings. The existing literature explains the theoretical implications of individuals to tasks in the context of work life. This paper introduces a deeper level of analysis by shifting focus from task and identity connections to the relationships between individual identities within the process of forming a team. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Zetterlund, Herman LU and Serrano, Ignacio Joaquin LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN49 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Identity Work, Sensemaking, Organizational Change, Digital Transformation, NPOs, Trade Union, Inductive Study, Symbolic Interactionism, Social Constructionism, Language.
language
English
id
9200810
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 09:47:25
date last changed
2025-06-23 09:47:25
@misc{9200810,
  abstract     = {{Foundation and Purpose: This research paper explores identity and sensemaking in the context of organizational change. The theoretical basis is anchored in the context of NPOs, studying the particular case of a trade union in Northern Europe embracing digital transformation. The study of this phenomenon is relevant as it explores a trade union’s efforts to remain current and to continue as a purpose driven organization. 
Theoretical framework: We draw from existing and relevant theoretical frameworks in NPOs, organizational change, digital transformation, identity work, sensemaking and language.
Research Methodology: The methodology follows a qualitative study, interpretive tradition and inductive approach. We conducted a total of 15 semi-structured interviews in two subsets, the first being the leadership team (4 people) and the latter being the change driving team (5 people) at the case organization MPU. 
Empirical Findings: In the empirical findings, we untangle how the challenges faced of organizational change had an impact on the involved change team’s interpretations of the ongoing change. 
Contribution: The implications of this research are the risks organizations face when internal teams are assigned specialized tasks without sufficient expertise, leading to unclear roles, poor coordination, and fragmented understandings. The existing literature explains the theoretical implications of individuals to tasks in the context of work life. This paper introduces a deeper level of analysis by shifting focus from task and identity connections to the relationships between individual identities within the process of forming a team.}},
  author       = {{Zetterlund, Herman and Serrano, Ignacio Joaquin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Frankenstein Dilemma: A Qualitative Study of Identity and Sensemaking in a Digitally Transforming Trade Union}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}