Methods of Musement: Cultivating Serious Play in Research on Business and Organization

R. Daniel Wadhwani, Anders Ravn Sørensen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

We explicate the value and practices of ‘serious play’ in historical and organizational research. In particular, we draw on the philosophy of Charles Peirce to consider why and how playful methods are effective for abductive inference. Introducing the papers in this special issue, we highlight four playful practices: (a) creating and categorizing new sources, (b) seeing a new, (c) sensing connections, and (d) entertaining new representations. We discuss how each of these practices contribute to the generation of new hypotheses. Finally, we conclude by highlighting research and methodological practices with the aim of cultivating a more playful future.
Original languageEnglish
JournalManagement & Organizational History
Volume18
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)1-15
Number of pages15
ISSN1744-9359
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Published online: 13 Mar 2023.

Keywords

  • Abduction
  • Play
  • Methods
  • Creativity
  • Management and organizational history

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