Strategic improvisation and narratives for navigating complexity

Abstract

How can the strategic direction for an organization’s overall development be supported and communicated if planning, and even strategies, are no longer sufficient options? The answer lies in narratives and strategic improvisation. In this article, new and old ideas about communication and management are integrated into a framework rooted in the humanities and fine arts. The result is a new conceptual mindset for corporate communication which argues that jazz music, narrative theory, and improvisational theatre have more to offer to the development of organizations than traditional managerial models.