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Karl E. Weick

According to our understanding, Karl E. Weick was the person who spoke of the ‘Process of Organising’ instead of Organisation. Without an explicit philosophical background, he represented the thesis very early on that stability (in organisations) is generated and must be maintained dynamically. Thus, he focused his attention on how meaning is generated (!) and continuously ‘re-invented’ in organisations.

A further research emphasis is on “Managing the Unexpected”. His analyses of high-risk corporations (aircraft carriers, intensive care units, fire brigades, etc.) sharpened his view about the relevance of the (unknown) future for managers and organisations. For him, this involved a paradigm shift from control to mindfulness for the competence within organisations.

His research concerning the importance of the time dimension for consultation offers research evidence and suggestions for many of the considerations found here.