Research Article

The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023

Number: TAOM2025 August 17, 2026
TR EN

The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023

Abstract

This study explores the longitudinal evolution of Buurtzorg's organizational discourse between 2015 and 2023 through the lens of Karl Weick's sensemaking framework, integrated with organizational identity theory. Drawing on archival qualitative data (Jos de Blok's 2015 TEDx talk and his 2023 interview) the paper adopts Thematic Discourse Analysis to investigate how organizational identity, continuity, and adaptation are articulated across time. The findings reveal both continuity and change: while Buurtzorg consistently emphasizes humanity and resistance to bureaucracy, its discourse has shifted toward resilience, tacit knowledge, and adapted Holacracy. Metaphorical analysis discloses this evolution through shifting frames (from disruption/liberation to resilience/adaptation), while rhetorical analysis shows a transition from problem-solution narratives to maturation-scaling narratives. The paper indicates that organizations sustain identity continuity through continuous meaning-making—recursively reinterpreting foundational values through evolving linguistic and rhetorical frameworks. The research contributes to organizational identity and sensemaking by illustrating how meaning-making processes enable organizations to balance continuity with adaptation while navigating contextual pressures. It also highlights the methodological value of archival longitudinal discourse analysis for organizational research.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The author declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Statement

Neither ethical approval nor informed consent was required for this study as it did not involve human participants, personal data, or sensitive information.

References

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  4. Anderson, M. H. (2006). How can we know what we think until we see what we said?: A citation and citation context analysis of Karl Weick’s The Social Psychology of Organizing. Organization Studies, 27(11), 1675–1692. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840606068346
  5. Bailey, C., Madden, A., Alfes, K., Shantz, A., & Soane, E. (2017). The mismanaged soul: Existential labor and the erosion of meaningful work. Human Resource Management Review, 27(3), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2016.11.001
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  7. Birkinshaw, J. (2016, May 26). The workplace of the future: Holacracy. London Business School. https://www.london.edu/think/diie-holacracy-julian-birkinshaw
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Organisational Behaviour

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 17, 2026

Submission Date

November 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: TAOM2025

APA
Yetkin, M. (2026). The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023. İş Ve İnsan Dergisi, TAOM2025, 11-30. https://doi.org/10.18394/iid.1826419
AMA
1.Yetkin M. The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023. İş ve İnsan Dergisi. 2026;(TAOM2025):11-30. doi:10.18394/iid.1826419
Chicago
Yetkin, Mehmet. 2026. “The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023”. İş Ve İnsan Dergisi, no. TAOM2025: 11-30. https://doi.org/10.18394/iid.1826419.
EndNote
Yetkin M (August 1, 2026) The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023. İş ve İnsan Dergisi TAOM2025 11–30.
IEEE
[1]M. Yetkin, “The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023”, İş ve İnsan Dergisi, no. TAOM2025, pp. 11–30, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.18394/iid.1826419.
ISNAD
Yetkin, Mehmet. “The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023”. İş ve İnsan Dergisi. TAOM2025 (August 1, 2026): 11-30. https://doi.org/10.18394/iid.1826419.
JAMA
1.Yetkin M. The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023. İş ve İnsan Dergisi. 2026;:11–30.
MLA
Yetkin, Mehmet. “The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023”. İş Ve İnsan Dergisi, no. TAOM2025, Aug. 2026, pp. 11-30, doi:10.18394/iid.1826419.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Yetkin. The Evolution of Sensemaking: A Longitudinal Study of Buurtzorg’s Transformation, 2015–2023. İş ve İnsan Dergisi. 2026 Aug. 1;(TAOM2025):11-30. doi:10.18394/iid.1826419