Improvisation as a design for organizational emergence
Zenk, Lukas Peschl, Markus F
Zenk, Lukas
Peschl, Markus F
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2023
Journal
Book
The Routledge Companion to Improvisation in Organizations
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
Publication Begin page
301
Publication End page
318
Publication Number of pages
Collections
Abstract
In today's increasingly complex, rapidly changing world, organizations are challenged to not only adapt to VUCA environments but also exploit new market niches. Even so, they continue to be regarded as machine-like and deterministic instead of living, evolving systems. In this chapter, we examine organizations in relation to the tension between determinism and emergence. Using the example of improvisational theater, we introduce different forms in which emergence is enabled in social systems. In contrast to predefined scenes enacted in classical theater, scenes in improvisational theater require other conditions, mindsets, and competences to unfold. From the perspective of those theatrical forms, we investigate managerial concepts and their potential to enable emergence. In closing, we summarize essential aspects of how improvisation can increase the adaptability and innovative capacity of organizations.
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
46 Information and Computing Sciences, 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, 3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour