Knowledge in the feet: the “beauté du geste” in the “beautiful game”

Abstract

Purpose – This article aims to draw on analysis of embodied plays in the game of association football to show the central significance of embodied spatial competence. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is descriptive and theoretical. Findings – Describes the special skills of unusually talented performers like dancers and midfield soccer players who appear to understand embodied movement in three-dimensions, and considers whether these attributes are transferable to business decision making. Research limitations/implications – No original research is reported but suggestions for areas of further study are made. Practical implications – If senior managers were able to learn such skills, the practice of strategy formulation and review could be better understood as embodied rather than as embrained. Social implications – Developing strategy as performance could enhance organisational competence. Originality/value – These concepts have not previously been applied in organisational analysis.