Organizational improvisation and organizational memory

Journal Article (Journal Article)

We define organizational improvisation as the degree to which the composition and execution of an action converge in time, and we examine the theoretical potential of this definition. We then propose that both organizational procedural memory (skill knowledge) and declarative memory (fact knowledge) moderate improvisation's impact on organizational outcomes in distinct ways. We also suggest that improvisation influences organizational memory by (1) generating experiments and (2) permitting the development of higher-level competency in improvisation. Contemporary technological changes related to the nature of organizational memory intensify the salience of these issues.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Moorman, C; Miner, AS

Published Date

  • January 1, 1998

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 23 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 698 - 723

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0363-7425

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.5465/AMR.1998.1255634

Citation Source

  • Scopus