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Joshua Keidan Dissertation.pdf (1.04 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Learning, Improvisation, and Identity Expansion in Innovative Organizations

Keidan, Joshua
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2982-0753
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1586874155982614

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Curriculum and Instruction.
This qualitative study investigated how learning works within innovative organizations through interviews with leaders at those organizations. Such organizations included churches and businesses which have found success because of their ability to function as learning organizations. The researcher sought to understand how these organizations create cultures and environments which promote learning, as well as to examine the ways that they have attempted to foster transformative learning, learning which leads to the expanding of identity on the part of the learner. In addition, the role of improvisational values, principles, and practices in encouraging such learning was also investigated. Through interviews with the leaders of 10 such organizations, the researcher found that these organizations fostered learning through creating organizational cultures and structures designed to foster the well-being of those with whom they work. Well-being is fostered in three ways: through nurturing joy, through granting individuals dignity and visibility, and through creating connection and purpose. In order to foster joy these organizations create a playful culture that embraces an abundance mindset, remove fear from the workplace and grant individuals permission to fail. In order to grant individuals dignity and visibility, these organizations put systems in place which recognize and value individual differences, such as the use of qualitative rather than quantitative evaluation; they adopt responsive approaches which ensure that individuals are listened to, and they reward success and creativity. In order to foster connection and purpose they share ownership with individuals, empowering those within their organizations (or with whom they work), particularly through adopting a systems-thinking approach; they share an expansive vision with individuals who are invited to work with them, and they intentionally nurture connections between individuals and community with the organization. These organizations tend to share an improvisational value system, and to enable learning by creating an environment which encourages identity expansion.
Susanna Hapgood (Committee Chair)
Jenny Denyer (Committee Member)
Dale Snauwaert (Committee Member)
Matt Foss (Committee Member)
223 p.
Adult Education; Behavioral Sciences; Business Administration; Business Education; Design; Education; Education Philosophy; Education Policy; Educational Leadership; Educational Sociology; Educational Theory; Entrepreneurship; Higher Education; Inservice Training; Instructional Design; Management; Multicultural Education; Organization Theory; Psychology; Secondary Education; Social Psychology; Social Structure; Sociology; Systems Design; Teacher Education; Teaching; Theater Studies; Vocational Education
learning; improvisation; identity change; identity expansion; innovation; innovative organizations; learning organizations; well-being; Vygotsky; infinite games; joy; fear; ownership; self-directed learning; student-centered learning; business

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keidan, J. (2020). Learning, Improvisation, and Identity Expansion in Innovative Organizations [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1586874155982614

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keidan, Joshua. Learning, Improvisation, and Identity Expansion in Innovative Organizations. 2020. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1586874155982614.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keidan, Joshua. "Learning, Improvisation, and Identity Expansion in Innovative Organizations." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1586874155982614

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1586874155982614
756
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.