Case Analysis : Xyz Widget Corporation

Researcher’s encounter difficulties during implementation and/or while performing methodologies may also reference action research findings for clarity or solutions. Researchers may benefit from previous action research findings when attempting to determine what has improved or decreased in their action researcher findings, while performing evaluations. While revising action research action plans, researchers may also reference previous action research findings to determine if any alterations or revisions need to be

Action research is known of other terms which include participatory speech, collaborative inquiry, emancipatory research, action learning and contextual action research; however they differ in various contexts. In simple terms, action research can be defined as “Learning by doing”, a number of people identify a problem, ways to resolve it, assess their efforts, if they aren’t successful, and they give it a try.

In spite of its potential to address relevant research questions, few published action research-based articles exist within the field of supply chain management (Näslund 2002). In fact, these studies are so rare that they almost constitute the “White Space” of research in the field (Frankel and Näslund 2005). One reason for this reluctance to adopt AR can be attributed to the lack of rigor in some of the previously published works. Alvesson (1996, p.456) wrote “…much qualitative research is as superficial as questionnaire studies.” Case research has, unfortunately, been used as an excuse for “industrial tourism”—visiting lots of organisations without any pre-conceived ideas as to what is being researched” (Voss, Tsikriktsis, and Frohlich 2002, p.196). Similarly, a criticism of AR is that it more resembles consulting versus rigorous research; that is, consulting “masquerading as research” (Coughlan and Coghlan 2002, p.237). Naturally, being applied and relevant cannot and should not be an excuse for doing research that is not rigorous. Accordingly, when a rigorous methodology is adopted, AR can provide significant research contributions for both practice and academia. With the belief that rigor and relevance are essential

In order for a researcher to conduct an action research analysis several factors must be determined. The specific purpose for the research, the components, and stakeholders. My action research project is to address a specific problem my agency has with employee retention within the patrol division during the past three years. In conducting a critical mass analysis it is important to determine who has influence and can assist with making suggestions on changes or give necessary data. Stringer (2007) states, "action research is a systematic approach to investigation

Reviewing of literature is a valuable contribution to the action research process (Mills, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to search for literature using both the Web and the Ashford Library, using only keywords that best signify the area of focus for action research project.

Action Research – a researcher moves through the action research cycles consisting of planning, acting, observing and reflecting to advance knowledge and develop people as professionals (Zuber-Skerrit, 1993, p.1).

Research, educational and action, are key to the continued improvement of educational methodologies and strategies. Educational research provides theories and pedagogy by organizing “empirical facts” (Johnson, 2012, p. 9). These scientific studies reach peer-reviewed conclusions that can be applied in multiple situations. Action research is more specific and focuses to provide a usable action plan (Johnson, 2012, p. 16).

So according to Stringer, the key to action research is to bridge the gap between the groups that are at odds with one another. Effective dialogue and negotiation is the critical piece to finding a solution that is

Section 1 Background will introduce the research problem and focus of the study, as well as establish its significance to the educational leadership and management specialization. This section will also include the Literature Review which will address the historical background, the organizational context, and the theoretical framework of the project. Section 2 Process will include the Methodology. The methodology will contain a description of the participants, the instruments used for the data collection, and a description of the overall research design. Section 3 Application will comprise the Results and Conclusion. The results section will report findings that will be presented in tables, figures and narrative, and the conclusion section will include the overall assessment of the quality of the action research and any recommendations for future

Organisation development(OD) is a planned process of change in an organisation’s culture through the utilization of behavioral science technology, research and theory (Warner Burke, 1982). It also refers to a long range effort to improve an organisation’s problem solving capabilities and its ability to cope with changes in its external environment with the help of external or internal behavioral-scientist consultant or change agents (Wandell French, 1969).

The reason parents read fairytales to their children is not for the sheer purpose of entertainment (or to get them to just fall asleep already), nor is it to install false hope. These improbable stories are didactic. Parents recite these tales in the hopes of inspiring their children and teaching them a life lesson. If the girl who was deprived of her father, was treated as a maid, and was verbally abused by her stepmother can get the prince, anyone can preserve through the obstacles of life. Making the Case has the same purpose, however this story is not a fake. TS Kimberly Guilfoyle’s style utilizes powerful anecdotes in Making the Case to successfully explain her life, teach life lessons, and inspire the reader.

Despite the assumptions made on action research, the “importance of investing and recording what works is particularly important in light of the problems facing educators and the public discourse what does not work in our schools” (Anderson, page 14).

Mcniff J & Whitehead J All you need to know about action research. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications; 2011.

As a sales manager for WidgeCorp I have just been informed that we are considering branching out into the cold beverage world. Unfortunately, I have been asked to come up with a regression model in order to help forecast monthly sales of all cold beverages for the next year. Therefore, I will be analyzing several variables that will help me determine if there is a relationship between any dependent variables as well as one or more independent variables. Although, this is something new for our company we are planning on selling these beverage in the South, Southeast and some northern states north of North Carolina but not past Delaware because we feel that this will be our best marketing area for this new beverage. Furthermore, I have found that we can better determine how our sales are for the area as well as if there will be a need to push our new beverage out to other areas because the sales we forecast were better than expected which means it will bring in more money if we extend the sales range.

Imagine you are an OD practitioner brought into DuPont at the time of the Orion manufacturing operation closure. Describe the steps you would take to help manage this change based upon action research.