Role of Creative Discourse on Organizational Politics & Organizational Learning

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the role of creative discourse spaces in organizational politics and organizational learning. Literature on politics and organizational learning brings to the fore two imperative roles of politics in organizational learning. On the one hand, the traditional literature on the links between organizational politics and organizational learning portrays politics as destructive effects on organizational learning. On the other hand, a few studies have posited organizational politics as a source of enhancing organizational learning. The literature also suggests that in the presence of spaces for creative discourse in organization, employees involve in organizational politics that enhances organizational learning; while the unavailability of discourse can result in politics that is harmful for organizational learning. However, despite invaluable contributions in the literature and practice, the theoretical underpinning and empirical literature on the role of creative in organizational politics and organizational learning is non-existing. By using qualitative case studies of two companies as a research methodology, this study aims to explore the role of creative discourse spaces in shaping organizational politics which is constructive for organizational learning. The key reason to use this methodology is the lack of theory on the links between creative discourse, organizational politics (both constructive and destructive) and organizational learning. As a contribution in theory, the present study will contribute how spaces for creative discourse can affect organizational politics and learning. The study will suggest that organizational politics should not be considered essentially negative for organizational learning. Instead, the managers need to provide employees with spaces for free and open dialogue and discussion and focus on offering them opportunities for experimentation. This would create politics in the form of tensions and contestations and the exploitation of these contestations in ways that are constructive for organizational learning.