Doing Post Modern Deconstruction Research

1. Doing Post Modern Deconstruction Research Ojelanki Ngwenyama Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University & Aalborg University

2. Post Modern Deconstruction Research • What is Post Modern Deconstruction Research • Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions • PM Deconstruction Methodology • Data Collection and Analysis • Reporting the findings

3. Post Modern Deconstruction Research • What is Post Modern Deconstruction • Postmodern deconstruction focuses on the demystification of organizational discourse. • The meaning of a text (text analog) is concealed by layers signification and legitimation structures, social relations, and social practices. • The objective of post modern deconstruction is to lay bare the contradictions of the text and reveal the true nature of its meaning. • Searches for local narratives that challenge or discredit “global all-encompassing world views” of traditional organizational practice

4. Assumptions of Post Modern Research • Ontological Assumptions • Information systems are social systems with technical implications (and social impacts) • Organizations and information systems can be characterized as a series of concurrent and sequential conversations between people.... where as conversations are the essence of organization and information systems • In any organizational situation there are many social realities infused with meaning derived from the historical process • Social, political, economic and other environmental circumstances form a context within which to analyze and make sense of socially driven events

5. PM Deconstruction Methodology • Duality Search Make a list of bipolar terms used in the story, any dichotomies used in the story. List the term even if only one side is mentioned. • Reinterpret A story is one interpretation. Write alternative interpretations using the same story particulars. • Rebel Voices Deny the authority of the one voice. What voices are not being expressed in this story? Which voices are subordinate or hierarchical to other voices?

6. PM Deconstruction Methodology 4. Other side of the story Stories always have two sides. What is the side of the story (usually a marginalized, under-represented, or even silent) story character? 5. Deny the plot Stories have plots, scripts, scenarios, recipes, and morals. Turn these around. • Find the exception The exception that breaks the rule, that does not fit the recipe, that escapes the strictures of the principle. State the rule in a way that makes it seems extreme or absurd.

7. PM Deconstruction Methodology 7. State what is between the lines What is not said? What is the writing on the wall? Fill in the blanks. Storytellers frequently use “you know that part of the story.” What are you filling in? With what alternate way could you turn it in?

8. Data Collection and Analysis • Valid Data Sources • Organizational documents, • Organization charts, floor lay-out plans, mission statements, job description, working procedures, memoranda and other communiqués • In-depth/open-ended interviews, • Electronic mail and discussion groups • Field observations (notes), • Focus groups

9. PMD Data Analysis • Three-stage process: • Identifying themes around the bipolar terms, • Exhaustive searching for empirical observations on the themes, • Analysis and interpretation of the findings 1. Identifying themes Conduct a preliminary read of some of the documents to determine themes Define the bipolar opposites of the themes 2. Exhaustive Searching From bipolar opposites construct search terms; refine the search terms based on new findings from the computer aided search of the documents Use computer aided qualitative research software such as HyperRESEARCHä