Sensemaking in business networks: Introducing dottograms to analyse network changes

What is it about?

The paper presents a novel methodological contribution to research on business networks and business dynamics. How different actors in a network understand changes to their industry is an under-researched but crucially important area. According to the industrial network approach, companies interact according to their perceptions of their environment and their subjective sensemaking. Using a case study of the Norwegian/Japanese seafood distribution system, we propose a methodology that allows us to better understand these perceptions. We develop an analytical method based on ‘dottograms’ which facilitates a more detailed understanding of change within networks. In particular, we show how the dimensions of time (past, present and future changes) and space (change at actor, dyad or network level) can be better understood, and also how the method facilitates our understanding by ascribing reasons for the change.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This study develops a novel analytical framework which allows a detailed understanding of network change. This research method enables comparing actor perceptions of network changes within and across business networks. Our method represents a contribution to research methods in business networks and network change. The paper provides an understanding of time (past, present and future) and space (actor, dyad and network level) in networks.

Perspectives