System Thinking insists that systems (of all kinds) must be analyzed as a whole in order to understand its emergent properties and the interrelatedness of its constituent parts (McDermott & O'Connor, 1997). Action Research is a research methodology that lay emphasis on researchers to work with practitioners rather than on them. The modern workplace requires systems thinking because it’s a complex whole that exhibits emergence and it is also in urgent need of expert guidance and knowledge that enables its inhabitants to become more productive and efficient. In the light of the bare minimum of options present for such possibilities, the author makes the case that action research can both teach and enable practitioners to incorporate systems thinking in their workplace. The paper gives a brief introduction to systems thinking and action research then makes the case for action research in the workplace and finally rounds off with strategies for conducting successfully action research.
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G. Stumme, and K. Wolff. Advances in Database Technologies. Proc. Intl. Workshop on Data Warehousing and, volume 1552 of LNCS, page 117-128. Heidelberg, Springer, (1999)
K. Becker, G. Stumme, R. Wille, U. Wille, and M. Zickwolff. Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management. Methods, Models, and Tools., volume 1937 of LNAI, page 352-365. Heidelberg, Springer, (2000)
G. Stumme, and K. Wolff. Advances in Database Technologies. Proc. Intl. Workshop on Data Warehousing and, volume 1552 of LNCS, page 117-128. Heidelberg, Springer, (1999)
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