A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Immanent sensemaking by entrepreneurs and the interpretation of consumer context




AuthorsNiemi Laura, Stenholm Pekka, Hakala Henri, Kantola Jenni

PublisherSage

Publication year2022

JournalInternational Small Business Journal

Journal acronymISBJ

eISSN1741-2870

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/02662426211061531

Web address https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02662426211061531

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/69017655


Abstract

Contemporary research has highlighted entrepreneurial sensemaking as a dynamic, socially embedded action undertaken to reduce uncertainty, but scholars have yet to fully address the role of routine-like immanent sensemaking employed when entrepreneurs try to understand their task environment. Defined as a routinised way of making sense of how to proceed in novel situations, we investigate how entrepreneurs use immanent sensemaking as they continuously seek to make sense of their consumer context. Our study reveals that entrepreneurs absorb individual, social and cultural signals from consumers to support their judgement and action. The findings suggest that entrepreneurs use immanent sensemaking not only for unusual events but also construct multilevel frames to understand their customers as individual, social and cultural beings in their everyday encounters.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 12:24