Towards improvisational governance? jazz improvisation and networked complex governance

towards improvisational governance?jazz improvisation and networked complex governance

The Hague University of Applied SciencesCentre for Research and Development

Martijn Hartog | researcher | [email protected]

context

shifts in power and control | away from national governments

upwards towards international organisationssideways due to privatisation and creation of quasi NGO’s

downwards due to decentralisation towards lower government and other public organisations

characterised by complex networksdifferent actors with public responsibilities working togetherprioritising, control and accountability has become more liquid

networks are more flexible

dynamic process of governance within networked systems

organising effective governance power and control

improvisation as key element

why improvisation?

a changed role of the government as part of dynamic networks with social organisations, market parties and

citizens

it is suggested that improvisation between highly skilled public actors may lead to new and effective

ways to produce public goods and value

improvisation has an apparent nature of being able to adapt as a mechanism

interesting conceptual lens to understand governance in complex networks and potentially a power tool for

public sector organizations to act more effectively in highly networked environments

method and aim

broad and wide exploratory literature review within several fields and objects of study (e.g. strategic management, marketing and organisational studies).

work in progressunderstanding the process of improvisation and its key

elementsenhancing skills and competences of civil servants

what improvisation is

“music is composed and performed simultaneously with no rehearsal or chance to work out the ideas in advance”

(Barrett, 1998)

“achieving creativity within and through the medium of established works and rules” (Wright et al., 2012)

“like telling a story and, like a good story, should be well structured and also convey something interesting to the

listener” (Sabatella, 1992)

spontaneous act, on the spot composing and / or a more structured

and well planned

learning process & knowledge, preparation and skills

knowledge, expertise and skillstechnical proficiency instrument, self reflection

learning and re-create from others, traditionmusical theory and practice

(harmonics, melody, rhythm, scalar patterns, dynamics, chords)

rehearsalcertain solo

practice (routines)personal study and growth

considering all possible phases of a themearrange and teach/learning material

quasi-autonomous leadership

blueprints of actioncreate a concept

band’s instrumentation (pallet of sounds)knowledge of performance

styles of prospective playersopportunities for soloists

framework of melody and harmonyresponsibility for regulating interaction

group dynamics and composition/arrangements

structure thought out on beforehand digested plan or preconceived design

arrangements with degrees of planning and different compositional constraints for improvisers

stable pre-composed elements to group interplayproviding overall shape to performances and reducing

some of the risks associated with collective improvisation

What improvisation could mean for networked complex governance

rendering options of simultaneously expressing creativity through the medium of established works and rules

improvisation and flexibility by codified and standardized forms of musical and conversational convention

rigid structure, hierarchy of leadership is not of main importance but the individual skills of civil servants

operating within (complex) networks assessing:capacity of learning (short-term), experience and (systematic) change(stored) knowledge, routines, skills and associated (group) behaviour

quality of reflection

future directions?

continuing the study of organisational improvisation vs. improvisational governance

enhancing skill set and competences of civil servants

developing a conceptual model and testing with improvisational specialists (e.g. jazz musicians, theatre actors) and policy advisors of the National

government the coming year

towards improvisational governance?jazz improvisation and networked complex

governance

The Hague University of Applied SciencesCentre for Research and Development

Martijn Hartog | researcher | [email protected]