Dynamic capabilities, creative action and poetics

MacLean, D. (2017) Dynamic capabilities, creative action and poetics. Revista de Administração de Empresas, 57(3), pp. 264-272. (doi: 10.1590/s0034-759020170307)

Abstract

Research on dynamic capabilities explores how businesses change enables enterprises to remain competitive. However, theory on dynamic capabilities still struggles to capture novelty, the essence of change. This study argues that a full understanding of strategic change requires us to sharpen our focus on real people and experiences; in turn, we must incorporate other faculties, which almost always operate alongside our logical ones, into our theory. We must pay more attention to the "non-rational" sides of ourselves-including, but not limited to, our imaginations, intuitions, attractions, biographies, preferences, and aesthetic faculties and capabilities. We argue that all such faculties, on the one hand, are central to our abilities to comprehend and cope with complexity and, on the other hand, foster novel understandings, potential responses, and social creativity. This study introduces the possibility of an alternative form of inquiry that highlights the role of poetic faculties in strategic behavior and change.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacLean, Professor Donald
• Authors: MacLean, D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Revista de Administração de Empresas
• Publisher: Fundacao Getulio Varagas
• ISSN: 0034-7590
• ISSN (Online): 2178-938X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Author
• First Published: First published in Revista de Administração de Empresas 57(3):264-272
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License