Influence of Narrative Principles on Organizational Change Adoption of Blended Learning in Selected Kenyan Universities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijcpr.2853Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study is to analyse the influence of narrative principles on organizational change adoption of blended learning in selected Kenyan Universities.
Methodology: Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample size of 18 full-time lecturers in University of Nairobi (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences); and Kenyatta University (School of Humanities and Social Sciences) for the period between November to December 2023. In each university 9 lecturers were interviewed which is reflective of the saturation point for getting new information among respondents through interviews. Interviews were conducted face to face whereas others were conducted online through Google meet depending on the availability of respondents. Ethical considerations were followed throughout the research process which included collection of informed consent during data collection. The data was then processed using the QualCoder 3.5 software.
Findings: The study revealed that persuasive storytelling had an influence on the adoption of blended learning in selected public universities. The blended learning adoption change was noted as emergent technological change which was sparked by the prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on Narrative Paradigm Theory. It showed modern application of the theory in learning institutions. University management need to utilize further the concept of storytelling communication in a similar and even better manner just as they did in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic to navigate resumption of learning by adopting online and blended learning.
Downloads
References
Agili, J., & Okibo, W. (2015). Factors Influencing Implementation of Change in Selected Public Universities in Kenya. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, iii(5).
Akan, B., Ülker, F. E., & Ünsar, A. S. (2016). THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION TOWARDS RESISTANCE TO CHANGE: A CASE STUDY IN BANKING SECTOR. Journal of Economics and Business, 1, 15.
Ambayo, J. O. (2021). A model for the implementation of online learning in Kenyan public universities during the covid-19 pandemic. 79.
Bahja, M., Amin Kuhail, M., & Hammad, R. (2021). Embracing Technological Change in Higher Education. In Higher Education—New Approaches to Globalization, Digitalization, and Accreditation [Working Title]. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.100431
Balogun, J., & Johnson, G. (2005). From intended strategies to unintended outcomes: The impact of change recipient sensemaking. Organization Studies, 26(11), 1573–1601.
Barker, R. T., & Gower, K. (2010). Strategic Application of Storytelling in Organizations: Toward Effective Communication in a Diverse World. Journal of Business Communication, 47(3), 295–312. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021943610369782
Bashir, A., Bashir, S., Rana, K., Lambert, P., & Vernallis, A. (2021). Post-COVID-19 Adaptations; the Shifts Towards Online Learning, Hybrid Course Delivery and the Implications for Biosciences Courses in the Higher Education Setting. Frontiers in Education, 6, 711619. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.711619
Boje, D. M. (1991). The Storytelling Organization: A Study of Story Performance in an Office- Supply Firm. Administrative Science Quarterly, 36(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393432
Brown, A. D. (2005). Making sense of the collapse of Barings Bank. Human Relations, 58(12), 1579–1604.
Brown, A. D., Colville, I., & Pye, A. (2015). Making sense of sensemaking in organization studies. Organization Studies, 36(2), 265–277.
Caldiero, C. T. (2007). Crisis storytelling: Fisher’s narrative paradigm and news reporting. American Communication Journal, 9(1), 2.
Dowell, S. (2003). Uncovering the storytelling power of communication: Applying Walter Fisher’s narrative theory to three presidential crisis speeches. ProQuest, 95.
Elving, W. J. L. (2005). The role of communication in organisational change. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 10(2), 129–138. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563280510596943
Fisher, W. R. (1984). Narration as a human communication paradigm: The case of public moral argument. Communication Monographs, 51(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637758409390180
Gabriel, Y. (2015). Narratives and Stories in Organizational Life. In A. De Fina & A. Georgakopoulou (Eds.), The Handbook of Narrative Analysis (pp. 273–292). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118458204.ch14
García-Morales, V. J., Garrido-Moreno, A., & Martín-Rojas, R. (2021). The Transformation of Higher Education After the COVID Disruption: Emerging Challenges in an Online Learning Scenario. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 616059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.616059
Gudo, C. O., Olel, M. A., & Oanda, I. O. (2011). University Expansion in Kenya and Issues of Quality Education: Challenges and Opportunities. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(20).
Hasanaj, R. (2017). Importance of Communication During Change: A Case of the Municipality of Vlora. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejms.v4i1.p15-19
Husain, Z. (2013). Effective communication brings successful organizational change. Management Review, 2, 8.
Kemp, S. (2019). Digital 2019: Global digital overview. Retrieved from Datareportal: Https://Datareportal. Com/Reports/Digital-2019-Global-Digital-Overview.
Klein, S. M. (1996a). A management communication strategy for change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 9(2), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534819610113720
Klein, S. M. (1996b). A management communication strategy for change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 9(2), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534819610113720
Marinoni, G., Van’t Land, H., & Jensen, T. (2020). The impact of Covid-19 on higher education around the world. IAU Global Survey Report, 23.
Matos Marques Simoes, P., & Esposito, M. (2014). Improving change management: How communication nature influences resistance to change. Journal of Management Development, 33(4), 324–341. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-05-2012-0058
McClure, K. (2009). Resurrecting the Narrative Paradigm: Identification and the Case of Young Earth Creationism. Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 39(2), 189–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/02773940902766771
McCowan, T. (2018). Quality of higher education in Kenya: Addressing the conundrum. International Journal of Educational Development, 60, 128–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.11.002
Mittins, M., Abratt, R., & Christie, P. (2011). Storytelling in reputation management: The case of Nashua Mobile South Africa. Management Decision, 49(3), 405–421. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251741111120770
Muema, E. M., & Lavery, M. R. (2018). Redefining Quality in Higher Education: The Concept of Juakalization. Sino-US English Teaching, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.17265/1539-8072/2018.09.001
Muo, I. (2014). The Other Side of Change Resistance. International Review of Management and Business Research.
Ntim, S., Opoku-Manu, M., & Addai-Amoah Kwarteng, A. (2021). Post COVID-19 and the Potential of Blended Learning in Higher Institutions: Exploring Students and Lecturers Perspectives on Learning Outcomes in Blended Learning. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 2(6), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2021.2.6.162
Odoyo, C. O., & Olala, S. O. (2020). Covid-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst to E-Learning Acceptance in 2020. International Journal for E-Learning Security, 9(1), 610–616. https://doi.org/10.20533/ijels.2046.4568.2020.0076
Olawale, E., & Mutongoza, B. (2021). DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: ISSUES OF FUNCTIONALITY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. South Africa, 12.
Powell, A., Watson, J., Staley, P., Patrick, S., Horn, M., Fetzer, L., Hibbard, L., Oglesby, J., & Verma, S. (2015). Blending Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008-2015. Promising Practices in Blended and Online Learning Series. International Association for K-12 Online Learning.
Reissner, S. C. (2011). Patterns of stories of organisational change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 24(5), 593–609. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534811111158877
Rideout, C. (2008). Storytelling, Narrative Rationality, and Legal Persuasion. 14, 35.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed). Free Press.
Singh, J., Steele, K., & Singh, L. (2021). Combining the Best of Online and Face-to-Face Learning: Hybrid and Blended Learning Approach for COVID-19, Post Vaccine, & Post-Pandemic World. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 50(2), 140–171. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395211047865
Spear, S., & Roper, S. (2016). Storytelling in organisations: Supporting or subverting corporate strategy? Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 21(4), 516–532. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-02-2016-0020
Spear, S., & Roper, S. (2016). Storytelling in organisations: Supporting or subverting corporate strategy? Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 21(4), 516–532. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-02-2016-0020
Stroud, S. R. (2016). Narrative Rationality. In K. B. Jensen, E. W. Rothenbuhler, J. D. Pooley, & R. T. Craig (Eds.), The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy (1st ed., pp. 1–8). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect050
Trexler, C. (2013). Advertising and storytelling: An examination of Walter Fisher’s narrative paradigm and its impact on the success and failure of brands.
Weick, K. E. (1995). Sensemaking in organizations (Vol. 3). Sage.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Eliezer Namu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
