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Fostering Practice-Based Innovation Through Reflection at Work

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Practice-Based Innovation: Insights, Applications and Policy Implications

Abstract

Practice-based knowledge built up through experience is needed to obtain expertise and skills in occupations and work tasks, but this form of knowledge is not conducive to change or renewal. The development of practice-based innovations can be fostered by creative learning made possible through the deliberate use of research-based knowledge to challenge well-established attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Reflection in the workplace can be used as an instrument to integrate research-based knowledge with practice-based knowledge to scrutinise and possibly revise prevailing thought and action patterns, thus facilitating creative learning. Reflection is often not allotted formal priority on the management agenda, yet the potential of reflection cannot be fully realised without formalising this as an expected, legitimised activity in the workplace. Thus, decisions and planned mechanisms, structures, and procedures are needed to facilitate and support reflection in the workplace.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Per Nilsen (Associate Professor)

  2. Helix Vinn Excellence Centre, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Per-Erik Ellström

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  1. Per Nilsen
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  2. Per-Erik Ellström
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Correspondence to Per Nilsen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lahti School of Innovation, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, Lahti, 15140, Finland

    Helinä Melkas

  2. Lahti School of Innovation, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, Lahti, 15140, Finland

    Vesa Harmaakorpi

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Nilsen, P., Ellström, PE. (2012). Fostering Practice-Based Innovation Through Reflection at Work. In: Melkas, H., Harmaakorpi, V. (eds) Practice-Based Innovation: Insights, Applications and Policy Implications. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21723-4_9

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