Agency and Narrative Creativity as Tools in Transformative Transitions

Abstract

In the context of various global crises following one another, transformational transitions of major socioeconomic systems to new development models are becoming a frontier of scientific discussions. There is growing need for actors capable of efficiently managing such comprehensive radical transformations focused on innovation. Building up human agency of the transformational type (TA) has always been a very relevant issue, but the demand for this competence has dramatically increased in today’s highly turbulent, variable, and unstable world against the background of the increased adoption of the inherently complex Industry 4.0. and 5.0 development models, and the exhausted potential of management tools which have been effectively applied in previous, relatively stable contexts.
This paper explores the possibilities for developing and scaling up TA and proposes approaches to working with this complex and elusive phenomenon to facilitate successful development. On the basis of various concepts (including a personally developed one) and case studies, the author opens up the TA “black box”, bringing clarity to the process of the proper development of rare, transformational abilities. The conclusions reveal the sources of management systems’ renewal potential, which will help organizations successfully adapt to the increasingly complex flow of change.