Humour facilitates creativity, learning and group coherence - not only f2f but also in distributed groups and communities. My presentation at ISPIM 2014 conference on the sources and types of humour in innovation-oriented online interactions.

1. Humour – Funny but efficient way of
supporting online innovation activities
D.Sc. Miia Kosonen, ISPIM 10.6.2014

2. Inspiration for the study
“In our brains, humour is
the easiest route to the
area where we are open
and willing to share.”
Bettina von Stamm, ISPIM 2013
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/1981_People_Pix.jpg

3. Inspiration for the study: but what
happens when we ”collaborate” online?
www.in2communications.com/Portals/108729/images/the-most-boring-content-of-all-time.jpg

4. Humour, creativity and learning
• Re-targets attention
• Increases psychological safety
• Relieves stress
…online and offline!
University researchers
once voted for their
favorite actor. Huge
Grant won.

5. Humour online
When, how and from which sources? How is it
present in online innovation environments?
aggressive, controlling humour affiliative and self-enhancing humour

6. Humour sources in online innovation
• Professional
stereotypes
• Previous community
interactions
• Common knowledge
• Ideating as such
pbs.twimg.com/media/Bcgc0qDIQAApQTs.jpg

7. Humour types in online innovation
Joking Humanizing
Posting funny pics, videos, stories Creating non-official profiles
Output-centered Impossible designs, ”mad ideas”
Conversational Storytelling
Spontaneous conversations and content Making fun of shared
background, events and
history; professional or
user stereotypes

8. Storytelling humour in memes:
professional stereotypes
whatmyfriendsthinkido.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/What-my-Friends-think-I-do-scientists.jpg

9. Implications for IM and hosts of
online platforms
• Four sources and five humour types identified
• Pay attention to humour online
• Feed funny content, not only information
• In community design, support ”being human”
and engaging in humorous exchanges
• Identify applicable humour types and social
lead users!

10. Thank you!
Collaborate to study online humour more in detail?
Twitter: MiiaKosonen
Email: koomikoo@gmail.com