Knowledge in the feet: the “beauté du geste” in the “beautiful game”

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to draw on analysis of embodied plays in the game of association football to show the central significance of embodied spatial competence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is descriptive and theoretical.

Findings

Describes the special skills of unusually talented performers like dancers and midfield soccer players who appear to understand embodied movement in three-dimensions, and considers whether these attributes are transferable to business decision making.

Research limitations/implications

No original research is reported but suggestions for areas of further study are made.

Practical implications

If senior managers were able to learn such skills, the practice of strategy formulation and review could be better understood as embodied rather than as embrained.

Social implications

Developing strategy as performance could enhance organisational competence.

Originality/value

These concepts have not previously been applied in organisational analysis.

Citation

Thomas Weir, D. (2013), "Knowledge in the feet: the “beauté du geste” in the “beautiful game”", Society and Business Review, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 235-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-08-2013-0054