This article describes a novel visual art-based exercise (VAE) that was developed and conducted as part of an introductory-level, project-based entrepreneurial leadership course. The VAE engages students in reflective explorations of paintings and analogical and metaphorical thinking and analysis in support of two learning outcomes. The first outcome is for students to gain greater awareness of their emergent entrepreneurial identities. The second outcome is for students to enhance their capacities to effectively integrate analogies and metaphors with entrepreneurial narratives. Participatory inquiry guides the structure and delivery of the VAE with its application being focused on opportunity identification and conceptualization, solution development, and entrepreneurial narrative development and delivery. The three stages of the exercise (i.e., Staging, Transfer, and Integration) are described in detail, and its effectiveness is qualitatively assessed specific to the intended outcomes in order to facilitate and support adoption.
AdlerN. (2006) The arts & leadership: Now that we can do anything, what will we do?. Academy of Management Learning & Education5(4): 486–499. doi:10.5465/amle.2006.23473209.
2.
Arntz, G. (1975). Untitled (Big Bertha) [Watercolor]. The University of Arizona Art Gallery Permanent Collection, Tucson, AZ.
3.
BarryD. (1996) Artful inquiry: A symbolic constructivist approach to social science research. Qualitative Inquiry2(4): 411–438. doi:10.1177/107780049600200403.
4.
BranthwaiteA. (2002) Investigating the power of imagery in marketing communication: Evidence-based techniques. Qualitative Market Research5(3): 164–171. doi:10.1108/13522750210432977.
5.
CardonM. S.ZietsmaC.SaparitoP.MatherneB. P.DavisC. (2005) A tale of passion: New insights into entrepreneurship from a parenthood metaphor. Journal of Business Venturing20(1): 23–45. doi:10.1016/j.busvent.2004.01.002.
6.
ClarkeJ.HoltR. (2017) Imagery of adventure: Understanding entrepreneurial identity through metaphor and drawing. Journal of Business Venturing32(5): 476–497. doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2017.06.001.
7.
CorbinJ.StraussA. (2015) Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
8.
CornelissenJ. P.HoltR.ZundelM. (2011) The role of analogy and metaphor in the framing and legitimization of strategic change. Organization Studies32(12): 1701–1716. doi:10.1177/0170840611425729.
9.
DeethJ. (2012) Engaging strangeness in the art museum: An audience development strategy. Museum & Society10(1): 1–14.
10.
Desmazieres, E. (1974). Les roues [Etching]. The University of Arizona Art Gallery Permanent Collection, Tucson, AZ.
11.
Grosz, G. (1934). Waiting for a job [Watercolor on paper]. The University of Arizona Art Gallery Permanent Collection, Tucson, AZ.
12.
HagtvedtH.PatrickV. M. (2008) Art infusion: The influence of visual art on the perception and evaluation of consumer products. Journal of Marketing Research45(3): 379–389. doi:10.1509/jmkr.45.3.379.
13.
HeronJ.ReasonP. (1997) A participatory inquiry paradigm. Qualitative Inquiry3(3): 274–294. doi:10.1177/107780049700300302.
14.
HubbsD. L.BrandC. F. (2005) The paper mirror: Understanding reflective journaling. Journal of Experiential Education28(1): 60–71. doi:10.1177/1053825905028000107.
15.
KatzJ. A.RobertsJ.StromR.FreilichA. (2014) Perspectives on the development of cross campus entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurship Research Journal4(1): 13–44. doi:10.1515/erj-2013-0062.
16.
KoivunenN.ParushT. (2019) Using choir conducting to improve leadership practice. In: AntonacopoulouE. P.TaylorS. S. (eds) Sensuous learning for practical judgment in professional practice: Palgrave studies in business, arts and humanities, Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 71–96.
17.
KolbA. Y.KolbD. A. (2009) Experimental learning theory: A dynamic, holistic approach to management learning, education, and development. In: ArmstrongS. J.FukamiC. V. (eds) The Sage handbook of management learning, education and development, London, England: Sage, pp. 42–66.
18.
LeavyP. (2015) Method meets art: Arts-based research practice, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
19.
LounsburyM.GlynnM. A. (2001) Cultural entrepreneurship: Stories, legitimacy, and the acquisition of resources. Strategic Management Journal22(7): 545–564. doi:10.1002/smj.188.
20.
LumpkinG. T.CogliserC. C.SchneiderD. R. (2009) Understanding and measuring autonomy: An entrepreneurial orientation perspective. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice33(1): 47–69. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6520.2008.00280.x.
21.
ManningS.BejaranoT. A. (2017) Convincing the crowd: Entrepreneurial storytelling in crowdfunding campaigns. Strategic Organization15(2): 194–219. doi:10.1177/1476127016648500.
22.
MansillaV. B.DuraisingE. D. (2007) Targeted assessment of students' interdisciplinary work: An empirically grounded framework. The Journal of Higher Education78(2): 215–237. doi:10.1080/002215446.2007.11780874.
23.
MarsM. M.TorresR. M. (2018) Developing collegiate student proclivities to entrepreneurial leadership. The Journal of Leadership Education17(4): 110–129. doi:10.12806/V17/I4/R7.
24.
MarshallJ. (2014) Transdisciplinarity and art integration: Toward a new understanding of art based learning across the curriculum. Studies in Art Education55(2): 104–127. doi:10.1080/00393541.2014.11518922.
25.
MartensM. L.JenningsJ. E.DevereauxP. (2007) Do the stories they tell get them the money they need? The role of entrepreneurial narratives in resource acquisition. Academy of Management Journal50(5): 1107–1132. doi:10.5465.amj.2007. 27169488.
26.
MayoJ. A. (2001) Using analogies to teach conceptual applications of development theories. Journal of Constructivist Psychology14(3): 187–213. doi:10.1080/10720530126292.
27.
NissleyN. (2010) Arts-based learning at work: Economic downturns, innovation upturns, and the eminent practicality of arts in business. Journal of Business Strategy31(4): 8–20. doi:10.1108/02756661011055140.
28.
ParushT.KoivunenN. (2014) Paradoxes, double binds, and the construction of ‘creative’ managerial selves in art-based leadership development. Scandinavian Journal of Management30(1): 104–113. doi:10.1016/j.scaman.2013.12.001.
29.
PatonJ. (2005) How to look at a painting, Wellington, New Zealand: AWA Press.
30.
PavlovichK.CollinsE.JonesG. (2009) Developing students' skills in reflective practice: Design and assessment. Journal of Management Education33(1): 37–58. doi:10.1177/1052562907307640.
31.
RanciereJ. (1991) The ignorant schoolmaster: Five lessons in intellectual emancipation, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
32.
SeidelV. P.O'MahonyS. (2014) Managing the repertoire: Stories, metaphors, prototypes, and concept coherence in product innovation. Organization Science25(3): 691–712. doi:10.1287/orsc.2013.0879.
