Abstract
Traditionally, the literature on action research has been aimed at intra-organisational issues. These studies have distinguished between two researcher roles: The problem-solver and the observer. This article addresses the distinct challenges of action research in inter-organisational projects. In addition to the problem-solver and observer roles, the researcher in an inter-organisational setting can serve as a legitimiser of the project and manage to involve partners that in an ordinary business-to-business setting would not have participated. Based on an action research project in a Danish inter-organisational network, this article discusses potential pitfalls in the legitimiser role. Lack of clarity in defining the researcher role and project ownership in relation to the funding organisation and the rest of the network can jeopardise the project and potentially the credibility of the researchers. The article generates a number of preliminary consideration points for future research to test.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | ECRM 2007 6th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies |
Editors | Dan Remenyi |
Number of pages | 10 |
Publisher | Academic Conferences and Publishing International |
Publication date | 2007 |
Pages | 115-124 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-1-905305-50-6 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Event | European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies - Lissabon, Portugal Duration: 9 Jul 2007 → 10 Jul 2007 Conference number: 6 |
Conference
Conference | European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies |
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Number | 6 |
Country/Territory | Portugal |
City | Lissabon |
Period | 09/07/2007 → 10/07/2007 |
Keywords
- action research
- Inter-organisational networks
- Methodology
- Researcher roles