In May 2026, Karl Weick passed away. As one of the most influential and prolific scholars in management studies, he introduced a range of groundbreaking ideas that have shaped the field. Much of the discussion surrounding Weick’s scholarship has taken place within the Journal of Management Studies (JMS). Weick himself contributed several articles to the journal, beginning with his work on enacted sensemaking during crisis situations, followed by reflective essays exploring key themes in his research, including a contribution to a special issue marking the anniversary of The Social Psychology of Organizing, as well as his personal interpretation of March and Simon’s Organizations. His concept of sensemaking has inspired an ongoing and evolving stream of research, much of which has been published in JMS and other leading journals. One of Weick’s lasting contributions is the distinct theoretical lens that sensemaking provides for understanding organizational phenomena and their dynamics.
However, as we suggest in this introduction, Weick’s influence extends beyond specific concepts, theories, and scholarly insights. Throughout his academic career, he demonstrated a distinctive approach to thinking about the world, writing, and understanding the role of a scholar. His final essay, co-authored with Gerardo Patriotta, offers a valuable way of appreciating this broader legacy. Although Weick did not live to see the completed version of the article, his voice remains clearly evident throughout. The notion of ‘heavy time’, introduced by Weick and Patriotta, not only deepens our understanding of sensemaking but also provides a framework for reflecting on both the history and future of Weick’s impact. In this introductory essay, we place the central arguments of Patriotta and Weick’s (2026) article within the wider literature, consider why JMS serves as an appropriate venue for one of Weick’s final contributions, and reflect on the enduring relevance of his scholarship.
Read the full editorial here: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.70162
Read from Karl Weick’s final essay ‘Heavy Time: Sensemaking and the Temporal Experience’, co-authored with Gerardo Patriotta, below.
Heavy Time: Sensemaking and the Temporal Experience
Gerardo Patriotta, Karl E. Weick
