LEGO^®Serious Play^®in multi-method tourism research

Abstract

Purpose In the past decade, scholars across social sciences shifted their attention towards creative and dynamic research methods. Despite the growing popularity of LEGO® Serious Play® method across social sciences, few studies applied the method in tourism and hospitality research. This method represents a powerful tool which uses a toy to solve problems, explore ideas and achieve objectives in business, research and community work. This paper aims to provide insights into qualitative multi-method approach incorporating LEGO® Serious Play® to gain a deeper understanding of hosts-guest experiences in volunteer tourism exchange programme. Design/methodology/approach The empirical material mentioned in the paper is based on an interpretive study investigating hosts-guest experiences on organic farms. The study used a multi-method approach, and the data were collected through unstructured interviews, observation, reflexive notes and LEGO® Serious Play® workshops with 32 participants in total. Findings The paper highlights the benefits and limitations of the qualitative multi-method study, specifically focusing on LEGO® Serious Play® as a novel approach for tourism and hospitality research. Originality/value This study contributes to making the current body of knowledge on qualitative multi-method methodologies and creative visual methodologies in the field of tourism and hospitality. As such, the paper provides an overview of the LEGO® Serious Play® method. Specifically, this exploratory paper brings attention to how and to what end existing LEGO® Serious Play® has been modified and adopted in this multi-method study. Furthermore, the paper highlights the future use to benefit the tourism and hospitality academics and industry professionals.

Let’s not just “talk” about it: reflections on women’s career development in hospitality

“…Therefore, the panel proposed more innovative, low-cost techniques such as the mandala and LEGO Serious Play to facilitate inclusive listening environment. The former is an art form made in reference to drawing a circle during which one can become more self-aware (Potash et al , 2016), and the latter a powerful, playful method to address issues, search for ideas and reach organisational and other objectives (Wengel, 2020). Practising these methods allows organisations to create an environment where issues about gender stereotypes and biases can be discussed by individual employees collectively, by giving them time to reflect and express their feelings in creative ways to finally arrive at a shared vision (McCusker, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, the panel proposed more innovative, low cost techniques such as the mandala and LEGO Serious Play to facilitate inclusive listening environment. The former is an art form made in reference to drawing a circle during which one can become more self-aware (Potash et al, 2016), and the latter a powerful, playful method to address issues, search for ideas and reach organisational, and other objectives (Wengel, 2020). Since some of the greatest obstacles to the career advancement of women are manifested in having to "choose" between career and family (Boone et al, 2013), organisations need to restructure jobs to offer more flexible solutions and stop rewarding working long hours.…”

Thinking with the hands: LEGO® Serious Play® a game-based tool to empower young migrants integrating

“…Grienitz & Schmidt, 2012), but it has been also used in research on tourism (e.g. Wengel, 2020;Wengel et al, 2019), intercultural studies (e.g. Dunn et al, 2017), higher education (e.g.…”

Playing for Keeps: How academic libraries are prioritizing student mental health and well-being through play

“…Over the past ten years Legos have been welcomed into professional and educational settings for their documented ability to encourage and facilitate creative thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and stress relief. This application has proven so successful that the company spent years developing their signature Serious Play® campaign which was designed to facilitate corporate and educational group work, thinktanks, and creative development (Wengel, 2020). The foundational research which culminated in the Lego® Serious Play® initiative, ".…”