Paradox persistence and transformation through drawing distinctions: exploring hospital decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic
Type
conference contribution
Date Issued
2026-05-08
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper offers an explanation for the persistence and the transformation of paradox, a central element to paradox theory and a topic of current debate in paradox literature. Using the theory of distinction by Spencer-Brown we analyse qualitative longitudinal data of the decision-making of a hospital taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis leads to a process model of paradox persistence and transformation with the following argument: organizations operate in a complex world encounter events that confront them with undecidabilities which manifest as paradox. To address these events, organizations translate undecidabilities into decidable choices through distinctions. Distinctions create alternatives by foregrounding some aspects of the event while background others. From this view paradox persistence arises with drawing distinctions. Paradox transformation becomes possible when backgrounded aspects re-enter decision-making in the future. Such a re-entry induces further undecidabilities which an organization can respond to by maintaining past distinctions that stabilize a particular paradox. Alternatively, organizations can adapt or change the distinctions of their decision-making which lead to transforming the paradox. These insights complement and expand existing explanations of paradox persistence and contributes to the emerging understanding of transforming paradox.
Keywords
paradox persistence
paradox transformation
distinction
hospital
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
No
Event Title
Paradox Summer SChool
Event Location
Vlore, Albania
Event Date
08.05.2026
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
harald.tuckermann@unisg.ch
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Albania 2026-Persistence-Transformation.pdf
Size
1.17 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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