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Managementforschung

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23-06-2016 | Originalartikel

Routine dynamics and routine interruptions: How to create and recreate recognizability of routine patterns

Author: Anja Danner-Schröder

Published in: Managementforschung | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

This paper reveals how routine participants can create recognizability of routine patterns despite interruptions in the performance and multiple ostensives. The research is based on an ethnographic field study analyzing routines in catastrophe management operations. By focusing on microprocesses of routines, the analysis identified several interruptions of routines that had to be worked out before the routine performance could continue. The findings reveal that different modes of communicating influence the process of patterning and performing, thereby creating recognizability. While a narrative mode of practicing supports the process of recognizing patterns while performing the routine, an argumentative mode of practicing helps to overcome an interruption by talking about the routine. Moreover, the findings indicate that performance variety is not only explainable by improving a routine through changing it; performance variety can be the result of undesired interruptions. Nevertheless, the routine performance eventually continues by discussing the problem and actively searching for a problem-solving alternative. Search processes, in this context, are not something separate to routines; the enactment of them is part of performing routines.

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Title: Routine dynamics and routine interruptions: How to create and recreate recognizability of routine patterns
Author: Anja Danner-Schröder
Publication date: 23-06-2016
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Published in: Managementforschung / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 2366-6129
Electronic ISSN: 2366-6137
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1365/s41113-016-0003-2

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