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Envisioning Futures Through play – Embodiment Techniques for Futures Thinking in Business Contexts

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Games and Learning Alliance (GALA 2024)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 15348))

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Abstract

In the context of rapid technological and social changes futures thinking is essential for leadership and organizations to navigate uncertainties. Traditional methods might lack engagement and creativity in business contexts. This paper explores how play and embodiment techniques, such as Social Dreaming and the Polak Game, can enhance leadership skills in futures thinking. Utilizing Future Labs in collaboration with two Berlin based global industry partners, the research project demonstrates that integrating playful and embodied approaches fosters cognitive flexibility and emotional engagement with potential futures. The findings underscore the importance of these techniques in breaking traditional thought patterns, enhancing collaborative problem-solving and cultivating new perspectives for effective leadership in complex environments.

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Acknowledgments

The Re:Play project was funded by IFAF – Institut für angewandte Forschung Berlin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Pelin Celik & Jana Picciani

Authors
  1. Pelin Celik
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  2. Jana Picciani
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pelin Celik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Avo Schönbohm

  2. University of Genova, Genoa, Italy

    Francesco Bellotti

  3. Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Trento, Italy

    Antonio Bucchiarone

  4. Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS), Austin, TX, USA

    Francesca de Rosa

  5. University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Manuel Ninaus

  6. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Alf Wang

  7. University of Southampton, Winchester, UK

    Vanissa Wanick

  8. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Pierpaolo Dondio

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Celik, P., Picciani, J. (2025). Envisioning Futures Through play – Embodiment Techniques for Futures Thinking in Business Contexts. In: Schönbohm, A., et al. Games and Learning Alliance. GALA 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 15348. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-78269-5_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-78269-5_25

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-78268-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-78269-5

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