The Use of Art Knowledge to Enhance Creativity in Grounded Theory Research

Developing grounded theory in practice is not an easy task. The resulting quality is directly linked to the researcher’s ability in discovering categories, properties, and dimensions that build a relevant theory about a phenomenon. We show how art based knowledge adds value to the existing techniques used for enhancing theoretical sensitivity. We argue that art knowledge leverages researcher’s creativity, an under-evoked issue in the literature. The issues of how and to what extent creativity can be used in developing grounded theory are seldom treated in the literature. The set of tools suggested by the literature to help sensitizing researchers in developing theory does not guarantee creative thinking and novel theories. In the present paper, we derive from our own practice as GT researchers and instructors for almost a decade to show and to systematize how the knowledge of arts sensitizes the researcher and lead to creative thinking about managerial practice. We provide three illustrative examples drawn from our experience as grounded theory researchers and instructors.