Teaching and learning of organizational improvisation: The value of theater in management learning

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to understand the implications of theatrical improvisation in the teaching and learning processes of organizational improvisation. Originality/value: Management constantly deals with changes and unforeseen events, as research on organizational improvisation has shown for more than two decades. However, managers are still trained to face stable situations and not those of organizational turbulence. Management educators lack teaching and learning options aimed at developing organizational improvisation skills. Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on theories about organizational improvisation, theater improvisation, and management teaching-learning. Several teaching and learning practices of organizational improvisation based on theatrical improvisation were analysed - practices of a curricular component of a Management undergraduate program carried out during six academic terms. The qualitative methodology was based on an artistic approach and several sources of information (short stories, theater, direct observation, press conferences, and documents). Findings: The results are categorized into organized implications between four synergies (logic of practice, practice of the narrative, the creativity, and corporeality) and three entropies (shame to practice, fear of making mistakes, and habit of dispersing) of the use of theatrical improvisation for teaching and learning organizational improvisation in the training of contemporary managers. The research results contribute to the advancement of knowledge about organizational improvisation, as they unfold a proposal for a more precise understanding of teaching and learning of organizational improvisation. This study also enhances the linkage between fields of knowledge (theater and management), increasing of the knowledge that contributes to the advancement of research and practice of teaching and learning organizational improvisation.