Work Knowledge Creation and Action Learning - Essay Example

The influence that ethical considerations have on the conduct of management research.

Concepts of quality within the research which is quantitative/qualitative.

How research projects can be planned and conducted in ways that would enhance the possibilities of the findings being published.

There were discussions and arguments about carrying out research internally or externally, and also how related matters or politics within the organisation could best be managed. Various types of organisational politics were discussed. I learnt about PAR, i.e participatory action research, and about grounded research, i.e. research where data is collected and then a theory developed, rather than the more usual creation of a hypothesis in the first instance.

I found out that the management research publication environment still has a strong tendency to be centred upon America.

Research ethics was considered both from the reciprocity point of view i.e where researchers and those under consideration could both benefit, and also from a safety/informed consent/confidentiality view point.

Bell and Bryman (2007) stated that ethics should not just be a checklist to be completed, but an aspirational part of research design. The members of my learning set helped me on the subject of research being emancipatory, that is free from imposed constraints, or not.

The main features of PAR are diversity, case orientation, collaboration, the linking of  social action to scientific knowledge, eclecticism, using local knowledge and the emergent process. In my particular situation it is collaboration between the various sectors within the company which needs to be improved and this will require the participation and intervention of top management.

Zuber-Skerritt and Perry in 2002 made suggestions as to how to both connect, and at the same time differentiate, between the theories behind a piece of research and the pragmatic actions required. I will be able to follow their advice during the preparation for my thesis.

My major concern is improving the motivation levels of employees as I stated earlier. The creation of knowledge and its dissemination are improving. There are employees who have come gradually to understand the importance of this, but others remain seemingly overly concerned about their job security, feeling that if lots of information is created and shared around this could place their further employment in jeopardy.

The week 8 studies brought us full circle to the discussion in Module 1 about the work of student/practitioners must work towards creating knowledge, both theoretical and practical. It expanded upon the earlier discussion by considering some alternative ideas about what constitutes action research. With this in mind, and being able to reflect on work during Modules 5-9 about work place issues, should improve my capabilities as a researcher and a scholar/practitioner.

From discussions with my fellow students, as well as on the readings suggested, I am able to explain how important the sharing of knowledge is, as well as how it can be used within a company for the benefit of all. I am now able to show my colleagues how this can be achieved.