Title: The interface of innovation and activity theory

Authors: Ariane Latoski; Yara Lucia Mazziotti Bulgacov; Sieglinde Kindl Da Cunha

Addresses: PMDA – Post Graduate Program in Management, Positivo University, 200, apto 304, bloco 2. Bairro: Portão, Curitiba-PR CEP: 80610-280, Brazil ' Positivo University/Federal University of Paraná, Brazil 5300 – Cidade Industrial, SETOR PMDA – 5º andar biblioteca, Curitiba – PR, CEP: 81280-330, Brazil ' Positivo University/Federal University of Paraná, Brazil 5300 – Cidade Industrial, SETOR PMDA – 5º andar biblioteca, Curitiba – PR, CEP: 81280-330, Brazil

Abstract: The phenomenon of learning and innovation can be explained through activity theory (AT) and socio-technical theory (STT), with the Association International des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (AIESEC) in Curitiba as the empirical field. This association offers a leadership training course to young university students. The methodology used was labour development research (LDR), which studies expansive and remediative learning. The results showed that AT enabled an explanation of the rise and construction of a historical perspective of the object. STT demonstrated the diffusion of innovation in local projects, from the formulation of expectations to summarisation.

Keywords: activity theory; socio-technical theory; learning; innovation diffusion; leadership training; university students; higher education; labour development research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2017.080752

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2017 Vol.21 No.1, pp.35 - 53

Received: 20 Mar 2015
Accepted: 11 Jun 2015

Published online: 06 Dec 2016 *

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