A practice-based view of transformative learning: an exploratory study on the practical creativity

This research analyzes transformative learning in relationship to workplace education, intertwining it with the theoretical frameworks of informal and incidental learning (Watkins & Marsick, 2020), and practice-based studies (Gherardi, 2019). Our purpose is to examine the contribution that a practice-based view of transformative learning offers to the study of creativity (Bracci et al., 2021). We are interested in detecting how and under what conditions professionals in a wide-range of fields can learn and practice to design and realize innovative creative products. The ability to develop innovative products can be a source of competitive advantage for companies; the generation of ideas for new products, or creativity, is the first step in this innovation process (Thompson, 2018). In order to expand our understanding about how to cultivate practices of creativity, the strategic aspects we analyzed and valorized are the comprehension, identification, and development of learning and knowledge situated in material work practice. The chapter is structured as follows: First, a comprehensive theoretical framework on transformative learning and practice-based studies is outlined. Second, the research design and methodology are described, followed by data analysis. Third, the emerging findings are presented. The chapter sums up with discussion and reflective conclusions.