Research Experience
I am currently working on a range of collaborative and individual research projects on topics including: the relationship between different types of networks and innovation in organizations, the role of leadership within a coalition of health organizations, partnerships between NGOs, and the use of scenario planning as a method for analyzing organizational change and foresight. I specialize in both quantitative and qualitative methods such as social network analysis, content analysis, survey design and analysis, interviews, and focus groups.——–
PUBLICATIONS
Evans, Sandra K. (2011). Connecting adaptation and strategy: The role of evolutionary theory in scenario planning. Futures, 460-468. __
Book Review: Evans, Sandra K. (2009). Review of the book Strategic Ambiguities (2007), International Journal of Communication, (3), p.887-890.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & DOCTORAL CONSORTIA
Organizational Communication Mini Conference, 2012. Evans, Sandra K. (2012, October). Presentation on dissertation research: Embracing the Digital Transformation: How Social Networks and Communications Technologies Influence the Capacity for Organizational Change in Public Media Organizations, Norman, OK.
Organizational Communication & Information Systems Doctoral Consortium at the Annual Academy of Management Conference, 2012. Evans, Sandra K. (2012, August). Presentation on dissertation research: Embracing the Digital Transformation: How Social Networks and Communications Technologies Influence the Capacity for Organizational Change in Public Media Organizations, Boston, MA.
Web Science, 2012. Evans, Sandra K. & Weber, M. (2012, June). Emergent Structure in a Social Movement: Occupy Wall Street as a Networked Organizational Form, Evanston, IL.
International Communication Association Conference, 2012. Riley, P., Li, Z., Evans, S.K., & Weiss, E. (2012, May). Scenario Planning: A Methodology for Analyzing Sensemaking and Change Processes, Phoenix, AZ.
Sunbelt Social Networks Conference XXXII, 2012. Evans, Sandra K. Galloway-Gilliam, L., Nomachi, J., Sepulveda, C. & Vasquez, S. (2012, March). Perceptions of Leadership in an Interorganizational Health Network, Redondo Beach, CA.
Web Science Doctoral Summer School, 2011. Evans, Sandra K. (2011, July). The relationship between social networks and innovation processes in media firms. Poster presented at Web Science Doctoral Summer School, a research seminar, Galway, Ireland.
International Communication Association Conference, 2011 . Evans, Sandra K. (2011, May). Managing Creative Capacity: Creativity as a Process of Organizational Change, Boston, MA.
National Communication Association Conference, 2009. Evans (nee Bangasser), Sandra K. (2009, November). Multilateral institutions and the recontextualization of political marketing: How the World Intellectual Property Organization’s outreach efforts reflect changing audiences. Poster presented at the National Communication Association Conference, Chicago, IL.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Social Network Analysis Research : Much of my research involves network theory and social network analysis. I am currently working on projects that assess the relationship between innovation and social networks in different types of media organizations. I am also part of the Annenberg Networks Network research group at USC. Within that group I have been and interviewer and co-manager on a project about why and how non-profit organizations choose to partner with other organizations. Another network-focused project underway is a study that assesses the role of leadership in a coalition of healthcare organizations. This project utilizes ERGM and SIENA models to assess the structure and evolution of this interorganizational network over time.
Scenario Planning and Strategy Research : Some of my research focuses on scenario planning and the potential theoretical and methodological aspects of this practice-oriented, strategic process. As a researcher with the USC Annenberg Scenario Lab, I have been co-managing a research project on how leaders from different journalism organizations imagine the future of their industry and how this relates to the communication of their organizational strategies. We have also collaborated on projects with the Knight Digital Media Center, a large entertainment corporation, and non-governmental organizations.
Creativity and Innovation Research: Creativity and innovation are big topics that I analyze through the lens of organizational communication theory. In one study I introduce the concept of “creative change capacity.” Through interviews with executives at a large entertainment corporation, this study used a sensemaking framework to expand theory on organizational creativity. A second set of studies applies social networks analysis to the assessment of process innovations in organizations facing rapid, industry-wide change, to better understand the role that communication plays in fostering – or thwarting – innovation and change.
For more information about my research, teaching and leadership experience please view my CV.
