Flow, leadership and serious games – a pedagogical perspective
| Published date | 06 April 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2016-0035 |
| Pages | 204-217 |
| Date | 06 April 2017 |
| Author | Zoltan Buzady |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Flow, leadership and serious
games –a pedagogical perspective
Zoltan Buzady
Business School, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to briefly outline the relevance of flow, a core concept of positive
psychology increasingly applied in leadership development and in serious gaming. The author presents an
innovative simulation game designed to teach and train how to manage and lead people based on the
principles of “flow-based leadership.”
Design/methodology/approach –This paper briefly describes the flow theory; it relates to leadership
theory and why it is increasingly applied in the context of serious games. Then an extensive review and
presentation of the features of an innovative serious gaming solution is presented to demonstrate that
simulations are a fruitful area into which positive psychology and leadership science are being extended now.
Findings –Despite the growing market segment and various areas of training applications of serious games,
very few games have been developed for leadership development. A detailed report presented the conceptual
and practical aspects of such a new serious game.
Research limitations/implications –The author’s contribution did not focus on testing a particular
framework nor did it aim at exposing new numeric data findings. Instead, the author presented an in-depth
case study as an inspiration for future, similar developments. Also, research questions for future analysis of
data collected during the leadership development game were outlined.
Practical implications –Readers were informed about a new, innovative serious game application, which
is successfully used for leadership development, and in particular to teach the practice of flow-based
management concepts.
Social implications –Flow is a concept applied in many fields of life such as sports, music, arts, recreation
and work-life. The positive benefits of happiness, creativity, outstanding performance and joy can lead to a
fulfilling life which is a paramount value, across all cultures globally. This leadership development game can
be applied in other countries and cultures. As a result, the quality of leadership across various culturescan be
improved. Researchers are invited to join the outlined new research network and program.
Originality/value –Flow theory is probably the best known concept of positive psychology across related
scientific domains such as management, arts, sports, education and spirituality. Professor Csikszentmihalyi –
a global figure head –laid the scholarly foundations decades ago, but now the concept is constantly evolving
and being adopted into new and changing environments. This necessitates a review –such as this
contribution –where the theoretical elements also apply in the new areas of application.
Keywords Creativity, Learning and development, Leadership development, Positive psychology,
Skills development, Happiness, Serious games, Leadership theory, Flow theory, Big data application,
Leadership ethics, Management theory
Paper type Viewpoint
1. Overview
This special issue of the World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development
focuses on new, computer-based and/or online learning tools with the aim to present current
trends and innovations to professionals, consultants, instructors and academics. The author
who contributed to this study is a researcher and professor of leadership, who has
encountered a truly innovative leadership development simulation game –FLIGBY –the
features of which will be presented here. Its relevance for management education is
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 14 No. 2/3, 2017
pp. 204-217
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2016-0035
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
Disclosure: the author is not affiliated in any legal or ownership sense to the presented serious game.
The primary purpose is to inform fellow researchers, teacher/educators and practitioners about this
scholarly sound, simulation-based and highly effective leadership development tool.
The author would like to thank colleagues and contributors to earlier versions of this paper,
in particular Paul Marer, CEU Business School, Zad Vecsey and colleagues at Aleas Simulations Inc.,
Los Angeles-Budapest.
204
WJSTSD
14,2/3
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