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Creative processes of impact making: Advancing an American Pragmatist methodology

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Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the social impact of creative research methods.

Design/methodology/approach
Using the new methodology of cultural animation (CA), the authors highlight how knowledge can be co-produced between academics, community members and organisational practitioners. Drawing on the UK Connected Communities programme, the authors explore examples of immersive and performative techniques including arts and crafts, drama and poetry.

Findings
The authors showcase the practical and theoretical benefit of such exercises to generate impact and influence. Empirically, the authors demonstrate the potential of CA to bring together researchers and community members in useful partnerships that foster dialogical exchange. Theoretically, the authors extend and develop the value of American Pragmatism by highlighting how democratic, iterative and practical learning plays out through the materials, networks and processes of cultural animation.

Social implications
Exploration of the examples leads us to propose and explore impact as a form of legacy which captures the temporal, processual and performative nature of knowledge sharing and co-production.

Originality/value
The methodology of CA is innovative and has not been tested widely to date although, as the authors illustrate, it is particularly useful for encouraging interaction between academics and the wider world by developing and nurturing interactions and relationships. It carries potential to contribute new insights to the theorisation and lived experience of organisation.

Acceptance Date Jun 15, 2018
Publication Date Aug 29, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
Print ISSN 1746-5648
Publisher Emerald
Pages 241-259
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-03-2017-1506
Keywords American Pragmatism, Cultural Animation, Impact, Arts-based Research
Relevance Gap; Knowledge Co-production
Publisher URL http://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-03-2017-1506

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