Page 128 - Crossing Cultural Boundaries - Cees den Teuling

Susman and Evered (1978) described the multiple iterations antidote based on the behaviour of multiple iterations in the spiral of the AR cycle. An argument for implementing multiple iterations of the AR revolving cycle is the possibility that cumulative data of the research are collected in specific parts of the analysis, found in a variety of contexts and by that, strengthening the findings of the research. Accumulated evidence, assembled from previous iterations, will improve the quality of the gained outcomes. Ketchum and Trist (1992) notice that the frequency of the iterations in the spiral of the AR cycle will decrease if there is an improved match shown between the researcher’s concept of study and the causal models, comprised out of the findings of the research. Each subsequent, revolving cycle of AR is bound to deliver a specific stage of learning, as an additional result. The purpose of the implementation of the “antidotes” approach in the spiral of the AR process is the adjustment, improvement and refining of the method for AR.
To conclude, the “threats in AR” as argued by Kock (2004) are not considered for and implemented in this study, since it is expected that it will complicate and mystify the outcome of the research. For the underlying study the adjusted AR method is adopted.
3.2.5 Implementation of Action Research in this study
AR, which implies cooperation and collaboration between practitioners and researchers can be regarded as a MMR method, with a useful potential for the field of “trans- boundary KT”. There is a “double challenge” in the implementation of an AR framework since the combination of “action” and “research” includes potential difficulties during the execution of an AR project. However, these difficulties are potential and compounded by the situational environment in which each AR is conducted, since every of such environment is unique, to some extent. Although the research is of a positivist nature, a number of AR elements are included. A group of co- researchers with diverse backgrounds are involved, established connections with the participants were instrumental in several stages of the research process with a feedback of the outcomes, will be delivered to the participants, for implementation.
Rather than to draft general directions, applicable for all situations, a flexible approach is advocated, embodied in a set of guidelines, consisting out of three aspects: (i) initiation of the AR project; (ii) determination of Authority for Action; (iii) the level of project formalisation.
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