Improvisation in the Learning Organization: A Defense of the Infra-Ordinary
Saved in:
| Title: | Improvisation in the Learning Organization: A Defense of the Infra-Ordinary |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Cunha, Miguel Pina e, Clegg, Stewart |
| Source: | Learning Organization. 2019 26(3):238-251. |
| Availability: | Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emeraldinsight.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Creative Activities, Organizations (Groups), Logical Thinking, Philosophy, Learning, Problem Solving, Organizational Culture |
| DOI: | 10.1108/TLO-07-2018-0126 |
| ISSN: | 0969-6474 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This paper aims to describe the hidden presence of improvisation in organizations. The authors explore this presence through George Perec's notion of the infra-ordinary applied to the study of the learning organization and its paradoxes. Design/methodology/approach: Most studies of paradox and improvisation are qualitative and inductive. In this conceptual paper, the authors offer a conceptual debate aiming to redirect conceptual attention on studies belonging to the domains of learning, improvisation and paradox. Findings: The authors defend the thesis that improvisation is an example of a paradoxical practice that belongs to the domain of infra-ordinary rather than, as has been habitually assumed in extant research, the extraordinary. Research limitations/implications: The study draws research attention to the potential of the infra-ordinary in the domains of paradox, improvisation and learning. Practical implications: For practice, the study shows that improvisation can be a relatively trivial organizational practice as people try to solve problems in their everyday lives. Social implications: Most organizations depend upon the capacity of their members to solve problems as these emerge. Yet, organization theory has failed to consider this dimension. As a result, organizations may be unintentionally harming their capacity to learn and adapt to environments by assuming that improvisation is extra-ordinary. Originality/value: The study of paradox and improvisation from an infra-ordinary perspective has not been explicitly attempted. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1218843 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: This paper aims to describe the hidden presence of improvisation in organizations. The authors explore this presence through George Perec's notion of the infra-ordinary applied to the study of the learning organization and its paradoxes. Design/methodology/approach: Most studies of paradox and improvisation are qualitative and inductive. In this conceptual paper, the authors offer a conceptual debate aiming to redirect conceptual attention on studies belonging to the domains of learning, improvisation and paradox. Findings: The authors defend the thesis that improvisation is an example of a paradoxical practice that belongs to the domain of infra-ordinary rather than, as has been habitually assumed in extant research, the extraordinary. Research limitations/implications: The study draws research attention to the potential of the infra-ordinary in the domains of paradox, improvisation and learning. Practical implications: For practice, the study shows that improvisation can be a relatively trivial organizational practice as people try to solve problems in their everyday lives. Social implications: Most organizations depend upon the capacity of their members to solve problems as these emerge. Yet, organization theory has failed to consider this dimension. As a result, organizations may be unintentionally harming their capacity to learn and adapt to environments by assuming that improvisation is extra-ordinary. Originality/value: The study of paradox and improvisation from an infra-ordinary perspective has not been explicitly attempted. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0969-6474 |
| DOI: | 10.1108/TLO-07-2018-0126 |
