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Improvisation in Action

Author

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  • Mary M. Crossan

    (Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 3K7)

Abstract

It has often been proposed, or assumed, that improvisation is a useful metaphor to provide insight into managing and organizing. However, improvisation is more than a metaphor. It is an orientation and a technique to enhance the strategic renewal of an organization. The bridge between theory and practice is made through exercises used to develop the capacity to improvise, borrowed from theatre improvisation. This paper describes a typical improvisation workshop in developing six key areas that link improvisation exercises to the practice of management: interpreting the environment; crafting strategy; cultivating leadership; fostering teamwork; developing individual skills; and assessing organizational culture.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary M. Crossan, 1998. "Improvisation in Action," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 9(5), pages 593-599, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:9:y:1998:i:5:p:593-599
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.9.5.593
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    Cited by:

    1. Valaei, Naser & Rezaei, Sajad & Ismail, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan, 2017. "Examining learning strategies, creativity, and innovation at SMEs using fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis and PLS path modeling," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 224-233.
    2. Diasio, Steve, 2016. "Not all that jazz! Jamband as a metaphor for organizing new models of innovation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 125-134.
    3. Paul A. Pavlou & Omar A. El Sawy, 2010. "The “Third Hand”: IT-Enabled Competitive Advantage in Turbulence Through Improvisational Capabilities," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 443-471, September.
    4. Miguel Pina e Cunha, 2003. "Organizational time: a dialectical view," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp431, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    5. Dusya Vera & Mary Crossan, 2005. "Improvisation and Innovative Performance in Teams," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(3), pages 203-224, June.
    6. Joao Vieira da Cunha & Stewart R. Clegg & Miguel Pina e Cunha, 2008. "Structuring for glocalization: the minimal network," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp536, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    7. Mary Crossan & Joao Vieira da Cunha & Miguel Pina e Cunha & Dusya Vera, 2002. "Time and organizational improvisation," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp410, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    8. Jonathan D. Ericson, 2022. "Mapping the Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Design Thinking," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(1), pages 406-429, March.
    9. Stéphane Robin, 2023. "Free musical improvisation as an alternative model for organization," Working Papers hal-04080990, HAL.
    10. Baker, Ted & Miner, Anne S. & Eesley, Dale T., 2003. "Improvising firms: bricolage, account giving and improvisational competencies in the founding process," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 255-276, February.
    11. Gary Rothwell & J. Baldwin, 2007. "Ethical Climate Theory, Whistle-blowing, and the Code of Silence in Police Agencies in the State of Georgia," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 70(4), pages 341-361, February.
    12. Dvora Yanow & Haridimos Tsoukas, 2009. "What is Reflection‐In‐Action? A Phenomenological Account," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(8), pages 1339-1364, December.
    13. Wider, Serena & von Wallpach, Sylvia & Mühlbacher, Hans, 2018. "Brand management: Unveiling the delusion of control," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 301-305.
    14. Siyuan Yu & Yang Zhang & Jin Yu & Xuanzhi Yang & Abbas Mardani, 2021. "The Moderating Impact of Organizational Identity Strength between Strategic Improvisation and Organizational Memory and Their Effects on Competitive Advantage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    15. Nicholls-Nixon, Charlene L. & Cooper, Arnold C. & Woo, Carolyn Y., 2000. "Strategic experimentation: Understanding change and performance in new ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 15(5-6), pages 493-521.
    16. Ralph Bathurst & Donna Ladkin, 2012. "Performing Leadership: Observations from the World of Music," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-21, March.
    17. Magni, Massimo & Proserpio, Luigi & Hoegl, Martin & Provera, Bernardino, 2009. "The role of team behavioral integration and cohesion in shaping individual improvisation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 1044-1053, July.
    18. repec:dau:papers:123456789/7969 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Verena Komander & Andreas König, 2024. "Organizations on stage: organizational research and the performing arts," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 303-352, February.
    20. repec:dau:papers:123456789/1129 is not listed on IDEAS

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