Abstract:
This thesis sets out to develop and apply a framework for
the analysis of strategic group conversations. Through an
exploration of existing research and literature in the areas of
conversation and strategy, four key levels of analysis are
used for evaluating and comparing different dimensions of
one stream of strategic conversations. Most particularly, the
comparison between written and spoken dimensions of the
conversations is carried out leading to several findings
which throw new light on some central dimensions of
strategic conversations. It is suggested that the
methodology developed here, and the subsequent findings
might usefully be compared in other case settings.
Key findings from the research include the following: A
present time orientation is more likely to be adopted than
that of a future time orientation in spoken dimensions of
strategic conversation. In contrast, a future time orientation
predominates in written dimensions of the conversation. The
present is spoken of in significantly more ‘context rich’
terms than the future, whereas the written dimension reveals
that future contextual issues receive significantly more
attention than do current contextual issues. Advice
produced by strategic conversations (both written and
spoken) tends to be structural rather than behavioural and
contextual introversion predominates in both written and
spoken communication. Written communication in this case
setting has been found to exaggerate the generalised focus
of spoken references to the organisation. It has also been
found to exaggerate the particularised focus of spoken
references to the strategic initiative.
A model outlining key aspects of the nature of strategic
conversations is also presented showing that both explicit
and implicit functions can be identified using a structured
approach to analysing strategic conversations. Finally,
perceived moderators and emerging norms are also shown
to be discoverable through the structured qualitative
analysis outlined in this research.
