Abstract

Students frequently say that the problem in a case or discussion of a current business issue is communication. Yet, when asked to justify this, they state facts or their assumptions as cause-and-effect. They do not bring a depth to their understanding of the complexity of communication among individuals as they attempt to create situational understanding. In the authors’ experiences, this response stems from two issues. First, communication is frequently presented as a linear model and does not incorporate conversation. Second, business students are skilled in inductive/deductive reasoning, convergent thinking, and data-based analysis but are less skilled in other thinking approaches. This article conceptually discusses how abductive reasoning and design tools may strengthen students’ skill sets in addressing the complexity of the contextual, emotional, and behavioral spaces of conversation.