Creativity in management research

In this research article published in the Journal of Management Inquiry, we explain why the traditional text-heavy way management research is reported could be strengthened by creativity. We overview different creative mediums and explain why they trigger interest, foster a multisensory experience, convey complex meaning, and spark contemporary, inclusive dialogues. We provide a toolkit of examples and offer suggestions for how to use them.

Abstract: The limited reach of management research results in missed opportunities to support the decision-making processes of business professionals and policy makers. To strengthen the impact of management research and overcome barriers posed by text-heavy representation, we advocate for the use of creative mediums (e.g., collage, film, poetry) to showcase the product of an inquiry, either alone or as a supplement to traditional reporting. We provide a rationale for how these mediums trigger interest, foster a multisensory experience, convey complex meaning, and spark contemporary, inclusive dialogues. Each of the four rationales is discussed by showing an example of previous use, and explaining how the respective barrier to research representation is overcome. We finally offer recommendations for how management researchers can employ creative mediums to enhance the fertility of their work.

Citation: Nair L.B., Diochon, P.F., Lassu, R.A., & Tilleman, S.G. (2018). Let’s perform and paint: The role of creative mediums in enhancing management research representation.

Journal of Management Inquiry, 27(3), 301-308.

URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1056492618760723