The Role of Improvisation in Organizational Training and Development

• In Event: Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Workplace Learning: Roundtables

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of improvisation in adult learning, specifically within the context of corporate and non-profit training and development. The authors examined the work of a major improvisation group in the Midwest in their consultations with various for-profit and not-for-profit corporations on their training and development needs. Results from this study highlight the unique relationship between improvisational techniques and adult learning and how such tools facilitate effective learning and improved organizational development within the workplace. In addition, this study discusses future directions for research as well as lessons learned from examining one subset of the expressive arts, in this case improvisation, from a qualitative perspective.

Authors

• Nicole Buras, Northern Illinois University

• D. Eric Archer, Western Michigan University