Narrative Approaches to Learning and Development in Organizations

Abstract

Learning and developing are integral parts of peoples’ lives in organizations, as ongoing learning is seen as critical for individual and organizational success. Thus, enhancing this learning has long been a central focus of organizational scholarship, and the literature has seen a growing emphasis on the use of narratives as tools for learning in organizations. Yet, a number of important questions remain about how narratives influence learning, development, and growth at work. Through new theory development and empirical research, this symposium aims to advance the field's understanding of how narratives impact the learning process at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Specifically, we examine how individuals’ self-narratives (the stories they tell themselves about their work) impact their own learning and identity development, how interpersonal narratives and storytelling help individuals learn vicariously from others’ experiences, and how shared narratives help promote innovation across entire organizations. In exploring these issues, we draw on research employing a diverse set of methods and contexts. Consistent with the Power of Words theme of this year’s Academy Meeting, our goal for this symposium is to initiate a dialogue in which we collectively cultivate a greater understanding of how narratives impact learning and development in organizations. Telling the Story of Learning as it Happens: Impact of Self-Narratives on Leadership Development Presenter: Daniel Scott DeRue; U. of Michigan Presenter: Christopher G Myers; U. of Michigan A Narrative Approach to Harnessing Ambiguity for Innovation Presenter: Raghu Garud; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Marja Turunen; Aalto U. The Power of Progress for Positive Identity Construction Presenter: Jeffrey Bednar; Brigham Young U. Presenter: Jane E. Dutton; U. of Michigan Presenter: Laura Morgan Roberts; Antioch U. The Stories We Tell: Vicarious Learning in Air Medical Transport Teams Presenter: Christopher G Myers; U. of Michigan