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Bricolage in organizations

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  • Miguel Pina e Cunha

Abstract

Theories of management and organization have traditionally overlooked the concept of bricolage. Focused on the rationality of resource allocation, scholars have missed the relevance of the skill of “inventing” resources from available materials. Changes in the nature of competition are, however, stressing the importance of speed and change as competitive factors in shifting environments. In these environments it may be impossible to search and wait for the presumably adequate resources. Bricolage, therefore, may be a relevant practice in these environments. This article discusses the concept of organizational bricolage by asking such questions as: What is bricolage? Why is bricolage a relevant practice? Why is bricolage so often ignored? How can it be facilitated?

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Pina e Cunha, 2005. "Bricolage in organizations," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp474, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:unl:unlfep:wp474
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ilan Riss, 2016. "Leadership in migration systems: the case of israel," Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu, vol. 14(2), pages 194-211.
    3. Sergio A. Campos & Rik Peeters, 2022. "Policy improvisation: How frontline workers cope with public service gaps in developing countries—The case of Mexico's Prospera program," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(1), pages 22-32, February.
    4. Cohendet Patrick & Llerena Patrick & Simon Laurent, 2014. "The Routinization of Creativity: Lessons from the Case of a Video-game Creative Powerhouse," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 234(2-3), pages 120-141, April.
    5. Vera Lucia Telles Scaglione & Victor Meyer & Diórgenes Falcão Mamédio, 2019. "Improvisation in Higher Education Management: Coping with Complexity and Organizational Dynamics," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 20(4), pages 291-302, December.
    6. Honorine Harlé & Sophie Hooge & Pascal Le Masson & Kevin Levillain & Benoit Weil & Guillaume Bulin & Thierry Menard, 2019. "The Management Needs For An Innovative Design Approach At The Shop Floor Level: The Case Of The Airbus' Saint- Nazaire Factory," Post-Print hal-02182420, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Resources; resourcing; bricolage; improvisation;
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