The genie in the learning organisation? The experience of using multi-level action learning at the Leadership Foundation

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Clifton ◽  
Paul Gentle
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Action Learning ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Voluntary Action ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Learning Organisation ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the working practices and outcomes of an action research project in a specialist organisation engaged in the field of leadership development. The intention of the project was to enable the company involved to become a stronger learning organisation at a time when it was developing a future strategy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a case study approach to describe and analyse a three-stage process involving the use of a focus group, organisational climate survey and voluntary action learning sets. Interviews with participants are analysed thematically in order to assess the impact of the action research project on the organisation’s culture. Findings – Participation by the majority of the Leadership Foundation’s staff in action learning and related opportunities for feedback within the organisation helped move its culture towards wider participation in strategy development and a whole organisation approach to working. Other organisations wishing to build collaborative working cultures can learn from the implications of the project, particularly those concerning the need to attend to the intended outcomes of action learning and the role of skilled, critical facilitators in action learning processes. Originality/value – The paper is innovative in that it explores practitioner-led action research work in a setting of leadership and organisational development. It will interest leaders and managers who seek to build learning organisations, as well as organisational developers with an interest in enhancing the impact of action learning.

A collaborative action research project towards embedding ESD within the higher education curriculum

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to present a collaborative action research project conducted at the University of Southampton with the aim to promote curriculum and professional development in education for sustainable development (ESD) and learn from everyday practices of academics. Design/methodology/approach An action research approach guided by participatory and emancipatory approaches was used. An interdisciplinary group of five academic staff members from different subject areas (education; archaeology; electronics and computer sciences; biology; and health sciences) was created with the aim to support the group’s critical reflection and action towards embedding ESD in their teaching practice. Findings The main outcomes of delivery of sustainability teaching achieved through the project and evidences of the impact of the facilitator role are outlined. The facilitator role has enabled reflection and action, together with the identification of specific needs of academics and the factors influencing their engagement and action. Originality/value This research demonstrates the potential of using action research to rethink current practice in embedding ESD and to lead to new practices and actions of communities of practice. The facilitator role and second-order action research can contribute to better decision-making of sustainability as it questions practice, current assumptions and worldviews.

scholarly journals Action in action research

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Melin ◽  
Karin Axelsson
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Social Action ◽  
The Body ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Dynamic Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systems Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the concept of action by addressing actions and roles in the practice of action research, illustrated by dilemmas in an action research project on information systems development in public sector. The main ambition with action research is being able to solve organisational problems through intervention and to contribute to scientific knowledge. The main emphasis has so far been on the “research part”. Here the authors focus on the “action part” of action research to generate rigorous research, to solve local problems and to deal with evident dilemmas in action research. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative case study. The empirical illustrations of this paper originate from an action research project that focused the two e-service development initiatives analysed below. The analysis is structured using key aspects and phases proposed by Avison et al. (2001). As a result of the analysis, the concept of action is elaborated. The action elements action, actor, motive, space and time are analysed together with different roles. This goes beyond the existing action research literature. Findings The conclusions show that there is a need to understand actions and roles within action research projects – not separating action from research. Research is also seen as action. The practice of action research is also discussed as context-bounded interactive social action: action research as a recurrent, interactive and dynamic activity. It is also identified that the understanding of roles, actions and interaction can help handle dilemmas in action research. Research Limitations/implications The authors contribute to the body of knowledge concerning action research in the information systems research field and in general by exploring the need to study the concept of action (e.g. situations and elements), to be explicit concerning the different phases, roles and responsibilities and management of different dilemmas in action research. A limitation of this study is that the inter-organisational development character in this study adds an extra dimension into the practice of actions research only partially highlighted. Another limitation is focus on public agencies. However, this is not critical for the results on action elements and the action research dilemmas that are studied. Practical Implications The understanding of roles, actions and interaction can solve the dilemmas and challenges linked to the practice of action research in the information systems field, but such understanding can help discover and handle dilemmas in action research. Originality/value The originality in this research is an illustration of and a perspective of action research as a context-bounded interactive social action: action research as a recurrent, interactive and dynamic activity. The value is that this knowledge can help handle dilemmas in action research.

Making and measuring “good” HR practice in an SME: the case of a Yorkshire bakery

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Doherty ◽  
Ann Norton
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Original Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how “good” HR practice is characterised in SMEs and what the drivers are for adopting this good practice. The paper also explores methods for measuring the impact of HR practice which are helpful and realistic in the context of an SME. Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out in one SME, a bakery based in South Yorkshire. It was an action research project which utilised semi-structured interviews, participant observation on the factory floor and analysis of company documentation in the diagnosis phase. In addition, reflections on action interventions have informed the findings, together with post-project, semi-structured interviews with key actors three years after the completion of the project. Findings – The drivers of good HR practice were found to be size, market position, external “coercive networks”, presenting issues, the ideology of the managing director and the energy of an HR champion. The findings demonstrate that the impact of “good” HR practice can be best evaluated in SMEs through one-shot, cost-based metrics or more strategic qualitative measures. Originality/value – The paper develops an original model to show the relationship between the drivers, the HR practices adopted and measurable outcomes. This makes an important contribution to the debate about HRM within SMEs and it has practical value for informing the development of good HR practice in SMEs.

scholarly journals The Impact of Service-Oriented Undergraduate Research on an Ongoing Participatory Community Action Research Project at Homeless Shelters

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Leigh Zicka ◽  
Roger Nathan Reeb
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Homeless Shelters ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Related Development ◽  
Service Oriented ◽  
The Impact

This article provides (a) a brief description of an ongoing research project at homeless shelters, (a) an example of an undergraduate student’s independent (and unique) contributions to the Project; and (c) the student’s reflection on civic-related and professional-related development associated with the work.

Making Choices to Resolve Conflict: An Evaluation of the Kelso’s Choice Program for Elementary Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X2094066
Author(s):  
Melissa Mariani ◽  
Kristi Silvestro
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
School Counselor ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Making Choices ◽  
Conflict Resolution Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Choice Program

This article outlines an action research project designed to deliver and assess the impact of a conflict-resolution intervention for elementary-aged students, Kelso’s Choice (KC). Findings gathered by the school counselor indicated that participating students increased in their ability to accurately identify a majority of conflict-resolution strategies taught in the program. Teachers also reported that students’ behavior improved greatly after KC was implemented. This article is meant to encourage expansion on the evaluation of KC.

A reflexive account on my positionality in a collaborative action research project in a Seychelles secondary school

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemma Simeon
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The paper is based on a doctoral action research project in which three ESL teachers and the author in one secondary school in the Seychelles focused on strategy instruction in the process approach to writing instruction with the aim of helping students become effective writers. The project enabled the author to establish relationships with the participating teachers as educator, facilitator and collaborator. To ensure the trustworthiness of the research, the author needed to clarify and explore the complex relationships to the setting and participants being studied. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, the author reflexively discusses the development nature of my research: language learning strategies (LLS) and draw upon my experience of working with three ESL Seychellois teachers in the reflection and planning stage of the Core Action Research project to critically reflect on the negotiation of my position in practice. Findings – Reflecting on the author’s positionality in relation to how the teacher participants constructed the identity has helped the author to be more reflexive and engage with the research process in a more meaningful way. Originality/value – The author’s experience suggests that one’s positionality is never fixed and stable, but rather may be characterized as changing and fluctuating according to the context, content, feelings and ideas expressed.

scholarly journals The Experience of Reading

2021 ◽  
pp. 233-244
Author(s):  
Susan La Marca
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Pleasure Reading ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Digital Formats ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

This paper describes an action research project conducted in 2013 that questioned 262 students from years 5 to 10 about their use of eBooks and audio books for pleasure reading. The students’ responses demonstrated a strong preference for paper over digital versions of texts, a range of interesting feedback about their experiences with digital formats and their preferences for different formats in light of different types of reading needs. The responses also included a range of advantages and disadvantages, as perceived by the respondents, of the different formats. The survey responses, in line with current research, indicate value in exploring how readers respond to format types – the importance of format should not go unacknowledged, as it is clear that the interaction of the reader with format is complex. This paper considers the important areas of comprehension, concentration, eye strain the impact of format on our senses and the need for adequate support.

scholarly journals Leading organizational transformation: an action research study

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filomena Canterino ◽  
Stefano Cirella ◽  
Abraham Baruch (Rami) Shani
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Organizational Transformation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plural Leadership

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address a specific gap in the literature that centers on individual perspective of leadership within the context of organizational transformation. It explores synergies between leadership, analyzed as a combination of individual and plural perspectives, and managerial drivers relating to organizational transformation (communicating, mobilizing, and evaluating). Design/methodology/approach The study examines a complex organizational transformation initiative faced by an Italian, family-owned fashion design company through an action research project. Findings The results illustrate that context may play a role in accelerating the implementation of plural forms of leadership and their effectiveness during some phases of transformation. Specific emerging manifestations of leadership and synergies with transformation drivers are identified. Research limitations/implications This is a single case study derived from an action research project. Although the approach is congruent with the nature of the phenomenon and the purpose of the study, it does not aim for generalizability, and as such further empirical investigation is advocated. Originality/value The paper offers an original perspective on leadership of organizational transformation, discussing in particular the co-existence of individual and plural leadership and the role of context.

scholarly journals The thinking behind the action (learning)

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Kelliher ◽  
Seán Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Action Learning ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on an action learning (AL) approach to curriculum design and delivery of a two-year part-time executive masters program, facilitated in part through a longitudinal work-based action research project. Program participants were a mix of mid- to senior managers operating in both the public and private sector and business owners, and all were in full-time employment. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents findings relating to participant and tutor perspectives of the program design, structure, and content. It also chronicles an AL tutor initiative run in conjunction with the inaugural program delivery, established to provide a collegial approach to learner facilitation, and to enable a research informed model of practice. Findings Findings suggest that the program allowed for greater action-reflection among and across all contributors (students, tutors, and program managers), and facilitated cross-pollination of AL perspectives, thus strengthening the interaction between practitioner and academic, and among academics themselves. Furthermore, the early involvement of tutors informed the work-based research project and larger AL program, and facilitated a matching of research interests between practitioner and tutor. Originality/value These findings suggest that an action-based model of knowledge transfer and development offers significant learning benefits to those partaking in an executive development program, resulting in the following insights: executive needs better served using a learner-centric approach; problem-oriented work-based assessment affords theory–practice balance; there is evidence of action-reflection “contagion” among all contributors; and the presented AL cycle has potential value in the conceptualization of reflective action.

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