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Use or Abuse of Improvisation in Organizations?
Author(s) -
Flach Leonardo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
creativity and innovation management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.148
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1467-8691
pISSN - 0963-1690
DOI - 10.1111/caim.12087
Subject(s) - improvisation , craft , storytelling , empirical research , the arts , sociology , psychology , public relations , business , management , political science , visual arts , narrative , art , epistemology , economics , law , literature , philosophy
This paper studies the uses and abuses of improvisation in craft breweries in B razil and G ermany. Using semi‐structured interviews, it shows theory‐based empirical evidence of improvisation and learning in organizations. Given the well‐known use of improvisation in the arts, the paper makes a parallel between the role of improvisation in organizations and in arts' activities in order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of improvisation, although this study goes beyond the use of metaphors and carries out a direct analysis of improvisation in organizations. The empirical analysis was conducted with 24 managers, head brewers and employees from craft breweries in B razil and G ermany. Using a multiple case study approach, with interviews, direct observation and storytelling, this research shows evidence of improvisation in breweries. The analysis uncovers and evaluates the uses and abuses of improvisation in organizations.