A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of the Experience of Using Appreciative Inquiry in Jordan
Creators: name: Safadi, Sami
Publisher: name: Leeds Beckett University
Year: 2022
Subjects: Uncategorized

description: This study employed hermeneutic phenomenology paradigm to investigate the ‘lived experiences’ and ‘perceived outcomes’ of using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) in organisations in Jordan, and how AI approach and its tools have been implemented through analysing the lived experiences of people using AI in these organisations. This study used the hermeneutic phenomenology within the interpretive paradigm to design and analyse research qualitative data. Three organisations that have been engaged with AI activities in Jordan were selected as research sites, where 34 participants across the three organisations participated in the study. A qualitative data approach utilizing multiple methods that included participants’ reflective notes, researcher’s observations and semi-structured interviews; 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted. A hermeneutical cycle for interpreting the qualitative data is adopted. Specifically, an ongoing interpretation of the phenomenon of AI, through three data analysis stages; transcription and naive reading stage (stage one), structural analyses and interpretation stages (stage two), and comprehensive understanding, and illustrating the phenomena stage (stage three). The findings of the lived experiences and perceived outcomes of using AI suggest that adoption of the AI increased employee’s independence, their engagement, better employment relationships, and improved emotional management. The results also indicate that adoption of the AI increases the climate of trusting and respectful employment relationships, increases the sense of self-awareness and confidence through shared stories and ideas. Individuals felt more aware of their impact on others and been recognised the power of active listening to understand and work with difference. The findings also suggest that adoption of the AI process offered a new way of thinking that allowed individuals to challenge assumptions and consider options and collaborative working. AI also been seen as tools and a method for an organisation to develop its strategy and make quality decisions. Overall the findings of lived experiences indicated the perceived outcomes of using AI that involvement and inclusion, collaboration and relationship development, positive focus, energy and leadership. This study has contributed to the existing literature in three ways. First, this study contributes to the limited and emerging literature regarding AI within organisations, and more specifically in Jordan context, as the current study is the first of its nature to evaluate the lived experiences of AI in Jordanian context. Second, this study has used a methodology worthy applied in the AI literature, the use of a hermeneutic phenomenology approach, specifically; to analyses the AI lived experiences in the organisational context enables access to a phenomenon that is often subconscious and provides a means of interpreting participants’ understanding and their experiences of AI. Third, the finding of this study has implications for organisations and business managers and those involved in Organisation Development and change. This study will be of interest to organisations and business managers to understand how to establish real relationships among their employees to achieve the best practices drawn from grounded past positive experiences.