Title: Fostering team creativity and innovativeness with playfulness: a multi-case study

Authors: Anna-Maija Nisula; Anne Kallio; Tuija Oikarinen; Aino Kianto

Addresses: School of Business/Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' Lahti School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland ' Lahti School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland ' School of Business/Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: This paper extends understanding on the practical development of team creativity and innovativeness in organisations by exploring the concept of playfulness and its implementation in practice. We discuss what playfulness means in the context of creativity and innovativeness and illustrate its application through three action research projects. As a conclusion, we propose playfulness as a useful metaphor for illustrating creative activities and practical methods, which can be a viable means for stimulating team creativity and innovativeness and thereby in a broader sense encouraging innovation and organisational renewal in non-creative businesses.

Keywords: team creativity; innovativeness; innovation; playfulness; improvisation; serious play; sketching by pictures; learning; teamwork; organisational renewal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2015.066065

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2015 Vol.17 No.1, pp.79 - 97

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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