Ludvig, K; Stenberg, A C and Gluch, P (2013) The value of communicative skills for developing an energy strategy. Building Research & Information, 41(6), pp. 611-621. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
A case study is presented of how a public-sector client organization engaged with a political directive on energy efficiency in buildings. The value of communication skills of built environment professionals is explored during a strategic change process. An interpretative approach is used to study the organizational discussions and interactions between mainly a senior engineer (an energy expert), the management team and officials. It demonstrates how the political directive led to an initially ambiguous energy target, but was successfully framed, contextualized and anchored within the organization. This change process was shaped by key actors' ability to influence others. Use of discursive competence is important for explaining what stakeholders may gain from the changes needed to meet the energy target. The focus on the role of a senior engineer (middle management rather than top management) provides a novel perspective on how strategies develop and are adopted in organizations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agents of change; buildings; client organization; discursive activities; energy efficiency; energy target; influence; middle-out; sensemaking |
| Index terms: | competence, client organization, communication skill, built environment, top management, agent, interaction, strategy, case study, energy efficiency, energy strategy, public-sector client, sensemaking, engineer |
| Subjects: | sociology, infrastructure and transport systems, sustainability and energy, profession, client relations, data collection methods, practitioner, cognitive psychology, personnel development, management, energy systems, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Urban Studies, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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