scholarly journals Exploring Comparative Advantage in the Context of Climate Change with Māori Organizations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Ashley Beall
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Comparative Advantage ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Action Research Approach

<p>Purpose –The purpose of this research is to investigate perceptions of comparative advantage in the context of climate change with Māori organizations in New Zealand. This study seeks insights, from an alternate paradigm into how concepts within strategy, such as values and identity, can help to achieve comparative advantage in an increasingly carbon constrained world. Design/methodology/approach – Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been employed as a framework for exploring Māori perceptions of achieving comparative advantage in the context of climate change in order to identify areas of transformation and define actions. A total of 10 organizations active in land-based sectors in New Zealand participated in this research study. Findings – The key area of action, or transformation, identified through the research process was for Māori organizations, and New Zealand more broadly, to be aware of the potential comparative advantage that Māori organizations have in the context of climate change. Research limitations/implications – While Soft Systems Methodology and Kaupapa Māori principles were applied to this research, a full participatory action research approach was not possible due to time and resource constraints. The participatory nature of the research could be expanded by narrowing the scope to one organization in order to see the methodology through to implementing actions. Originality/value – This research highlights the importance of perceptions in achieving action on climate change, by understanding where organizations may have a particular comparative advantage given their unique values and identity. It has value within the New Zealand economy, and potentially for businesses struggling with how to incorporate climate change into their business strategy globally.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring Comparative Advantage in the Context of Climate Change with Māori Organizations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Ashley Beall
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Comparative Advantage ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Action Research Approach

<p>Purpose –The purpose of this research is to investigate perceptions of comparative advantage in the context of climate change with Māori organizations in New Zealand. This study seeks insights, from an alternate paradigm into how concepts within strategy, such as values and identity, can help to achieve comparative advantage in an increasingly carbon constrained world. Design/methodology/approach – Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been employed as a framework for exploring Māori perceptions of achieving comparative advantage in the context of climate change in order to identify areas of transformation and define actions. A total of 10 organizations active in land-based sectors in New Zealand participated in this research study. Findings – The key area of action, or transformation, identified through the research process was for Māori organizations, and New Zealand more broadly, to be aware of the potential comparative advantage that Māori organizations have in the context of climate change. Research limitations/implications – While Soft Systems Methodology and Kaupapa Māori principles were applied to this research, a full participatory action research approach was not possible due to time and resource constraints. The participatory nature of the research could be expanded by narrowing the scope to one organization in order to see the methodology through to implementing actions. Originality/value – This research highlights the importance of perceptions in achieving action on climate change, by understanding where organizations may have a particular comparative advantage given their unique values and identity. It has value within the New Zealand economy, and potentially for businesses struggling with how to incorporate climate change into their business strategy globally.</p>

Enhancing the utility of science: exploring the linkages between a science provider and their end-users in New Zealand

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kelly ◽  
J. Reid ◽  
I. Valentine
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
End Users ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Action Research Approach

Increasingly, publicly funded research is being required to demonstrate its contribution to the public good. In response to this trend, a science provider of soil quality research in New Zealand initiated a research project that set out to identify and characterise its end-users in order to improve the utility of their research. The researchers recognised the complex nature of this problem and adopted an action research approach based on soft systems methodology (SSM). The research process entailed 4 action research cycles, allowing greater levels of problem redefinition and participant learning. The quality of linkages between the science provider and their end-users was found to be crucial for improving the utility of that science, and is determined by: (i) the nature of the personal relationships between them, (ii) how the information meets the needs of the end-users, (iii) the end-users’ perceptions of the science provider, and (iv) the culture and structure of the end-user organisations.

scholarly journals Exploring with Māori organizations comparative advantage in the context of climate change

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-838
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Beall ◽  
John Brocklesby
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Comparative Advantage ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Systems Modelling ◽  
Broad Framework

AbstractThis paper reports on a project conducted with representatives of indigenous Māori organizations that are active in New Zealand land-based sectors. The primary aim of the research was to assist these organizations in thinking about their current and future positioning with regard to climate change. Using Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology as a broad framework for the research, the paper first seeks to capture some of the likely issues that enable and constrain strategic activity in the climate change arena. It then uses various soft systems modelling tools to research and structure a debate to consider the desirability and feasibility of particular interventions.

Stakeholder voices through rich pictures

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Walker ◽  
Paul Steinfort ◽  
Tayyab Maqsood
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Action Learning ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flow Models ◽  
Programme Development ◽  
The Rich

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate, through an example taken from a recent research project, how rich pictures could be used to more effectively evaluate the delivery of projects. It has as its focus a detailed account of the process of identifying, interviewing and co-developing rich pictures with research respondents. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports on research that undertook a soft systems methodology (SSM) combined with an action learning approach. Findings – The authors provided, one of eight rich pictures developed as part of a PhD study that used rich pictures as part of wider SSM study into understanding project management best practice. Key findings pertaining to this paper are summarised as follows: rich pictures provide a sound and holistic means to capture context, meaning and impact of situations that are often very difficult to document; use of the more use of artistic and cultural flow of colour, diagrams and symbols in the rich pictures presented a significantly improved resolution of such intangible aspects on a physical artefact such as a picture simply because colour, flow, models and symbols can act as suitable proxy to understanding and resolution; and researcher needs to have an open mind and be rigorous in questioning and interacting with interviewees. Research limitations/implications – This was based on one study only and serves to illustrate the value of an approach rather than a template to be generally used. Practical implications – This provides practical “how to” guidance on developing rich pictures within a SSM research approach. Social implications – The paper illustrates how to portray participants in a particularly sensitive case resulting from a natural disaster. This approach may help people to better express their experiences and to give them a clearer voice in telling their story. Originality/value – The major new contribution that the paper stress this paper makes is one of not only demonstrating that rich picture development is a powerful sensemaking tool but the paper also illustrates how it can be implemented and the authors demonstrated how it allows stakeholders to have a strong and influential voice in project conception and delivery. In reflecting on the use of this tool the paper suggests that it can be effectively applied or adapted for use in a range of disaster recovery situations and even wider in the resolution of purposeful programme development for all range of challenging projects.

Soft Systems Methodology as an Approach to the Management of Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 150-169
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Education System ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Personalized Learning ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Educational Planning ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
National Examination

Soft systems methodology (SSM) as an action research process has been applied to education systems and, according to the main objective of this chapter to design an improved education system, the applications of SSM in the process of teaching and learning, educational planning, analysis of the examinations department, an educational context for enhancing students' perception and understanding, the cheating problem in the national examination in Indonesia, and personalized learning environment are reviewed. The SSM can be used to analyze the system through providing a deeper understanding as well as the possibility of more clearly capturing the change, which is necessary to prepare the ideal education system that will satisfy the concerned people, specifically students and lecturers.

Integration of contractors skills and expertise as part of the people capability of complex project based organisations

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Taylor ◽  
Derek H.T. Walker ◽  
Tayyab Maqsood
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Complex Project ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose – The purpose of this Thesis Research Note (TRN) paper is to provide a summary of key aspects of a recently completed and passed PhD thesis. It enables readers who may be interested in the thesis topic to gain an overview of that work and a link to the entire thesis through a URL link http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/eserv/rmit:160896/Taylor.pdf. The second main purpose of this TRN is to explain the thesis author’s doctoral journey. Design/methodology/approach – The research approach discussed in relation to the reported upon PhD was soft systems methodology and sensemaking. The approach for the paper is to provide a reflective narrative to explain the lived experience of the authors throughout the candidate’s doctoral journey. Findings – Findings from the PhD are summarised. The contribution to theory about practice, for practice and theory in practice is identified and the use of coding interview transcripts as an additional tool to be used in developing rich pictures is also discussed. Research limitations/implications – The research reported upon is limited to a specific context and while conclusions cannot be generalised they can be used to better frame further context-specific studies. Originality/value – The TRN provides a highly individualised account of a doctoral journey but it is intended to contribute to the growing body of TRNs published in this journal that in turn may inform decisions relating to candidates embarking on a doctoral journey.

A SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99
Author(s):  
Lewis Tsuro ◽  
Stan Hardman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed as a set of tools for identifying and making incremental steps to improve situations with poorly defined causes or solutions. The supply chain forms a key process of any construction project; however, on any given construction site, supply chain inefficiencies could arise from many different avenues. Opinions vary, though, on which of these avenues is more important for increasing supply chain efficiencies; whether any problem even exist across the different aspects of the supply chain; as well as what steps should be taken to resolve them. It was therefore studied, here, whether SSM could be employed as a useful tool to systematically apply in the supply chains of a construction project in South Africa, for understanding and targeting the problematic situations that arise. Following thorough cyclical open-ended interviews with 17 workers, supervisors, foremen, site clerks, senior managers, and the CEO of the principal contractor at a new office park construction project in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and a thematic analysis of the data, SSM was performed to understand the existing challenges, and develop a suitable model for improvement. The study found that SSM was a good tool for understanding the ‘messy’ circumstances surrounding the chosen construction project supply chain, as well as actions that could be taken to improve the supply chain’s efficiency on site. The findings add weight to the argument that SSM could be a good tool for project managers to systematically introduce into their project planning regimens

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