Interactive research

Rolf A. Lundin and Hans Wirdenius

Scandinavian Journal of Management, 1990, vol. 6, issue 2, 125-142

Abstract: Drawing upon experiences from a study of organizational renewal we contend that research can be described as an interactive activity. We further suggest the term "interactive research" in order to stress fundamental, mutual aspects of research involving organizations and systems of humans. The student of organizations faces a general dilemma: should he strive for unobtrusiveness or should he take field action? This dilemma can never be resolved, but the student is understandably bewildered by conflicting recommendations. We juxtapose the two approaches, i.e. avoiding vs advocating researcher effects, and we claim that no matter what the intentions of the researcher, reality is inevitably transformed in one way or another when organizations like businesses are studied at close range. Analysing our study of renewal in terms of the appropriateness of research actions, we discuss substantial aspects of interactive research. Specifically, we suggest the use of a "research contract" regulating cooperation between the researcher(s) and significant actor(s).

Keywords: Organizational; renewal; action; research; researcher; effects; research; contract; observation; method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1990
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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