The theme of improvisation constitutes an emerging topic in the field of management and organizations. The concept entered organization studies in association with the jazz metaphor but, due to the growing number of empirical studies, it is acquiring an increasing level of prominence and instrumental value. This article discusses the relationship between jazz music and management studies. It starts with an exploration of the relationship between jazz and organizing and then focuses on the central element of jazz, i.e. improvisation. The implications of the concept of improvisation are then discussed, with the emphasis given to internal (structure), external (turbulence), and interface (organizational change) issues.
Jazz; improvisation; structures; minimal structures; turbulence