Swift Sense of Community: Resourcing Artifacts for Rapid Community Emergence in a Temporary Organization

Abstract

Relational sense of community (SOC) research suggests that SOC depends on the depth of relationships cultivated between members over time. The rise of temporary organizations, representing transient work arrangements with limited expectations for future interactions, implored us to consider: how can a swift SOC emerge in temporary organizations, where the cultivation of relationships may be challenging? We introduce a broader relational approach and draw on high-quality connections and resourcing theories to examine how a swift SOC emerges. Utilizing rich data sources, qualitative analyses show that a swift SOC is cultivated in five days in a sleepaway summer camp. We find that a swift SOC is built on brief supportive connections that are made durable by resourcing artifacts. Resourcing artifacts creates scaffolds that mobilize actors to create a web of connections, leading to an organization-wide swift SOC. We propose that a swift SOC emerges through four intertwined resourcing artifacts phases: Initial resourcing, Embracing resourcing, Reinterpreting resourcing, and Expanding resourcing. During these phases, individuals imbue artifacts with new meaning and resource artifacts for: 1) dyadic connection, 2) staff coordination, 3) membership in a subgroup, and 4) an organization-wide community. We demonstrate symbolizing and momentary connections as novel resourcing mechanisms enabling this process.