Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Use of the Repertory Grid for Collaboration and Reflection in a Research Context

  • Published:
Group Decision and Negotiation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Repertory Grid (RepGrid) technique has been used extensively in Management Sciences research, including Information Systems research, in order to reveal the personal views of individual research subjects regarding the issue being studied. These individual constructs are then used to propose criteria for success amongst other things. This paper uses a distinctly different form of RepGrid, renamed a Reflection Grid, as a collaboration tool. Members of a research team use this new technique to probe their individual understanding of what happened and what was achieved during a research event and then to share these insights. Hence, not only is the application new (reflection and construction of shared meaning rather than the analysis and synthesis of personal constructs) but the original grid technique has evolved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackermann F, Eden C (2005) Using causal mapping with Group Support Systems to elicit an understanding of failure in complex projects: some implications for organizational research. Group Decis Negot 14: 355–376. doi:10.1007/s10726-005-8917-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander PM (2002) Teamwork, time, trust and information. In: Kotze P, Venter L, Barrow J (eds) SAICSIT’2002 enablement through technology. ACM International conference proceedings series (ACM Digital Library), pp 65–74

  • Alexander PM (2004) Implied information adds richness to ‘lean’ media. Communicare 23(1): 197–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander PM, Lotriet HH, Phahlamohlaka LJ, van Loggerenberg J (2005) Collaboration: unearthing business opportunities for a rural community in South Africa. Paper presented at the IFIP 9.4 conference, Abuja, Nigeria, May 2005

  • Baskerville R, Pries-Heje J (1999) Grounded action research: a method for understanding IT in practice. Account Manag Inf Technol 9(1): 1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beers PJ, Boshuizen HPA, Kirschner PA, Gijselaers WH (2006) Common ground, complex problems and decision making. Group Decis Negot 15: 529–556. doi:10.1007/s10726-006-9030-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell RC, Vince J (2002) Which vary more in repertory grid data: constructs or elements. J Constr Psychol 15: 305–314. doi:10.1080/10720530290100514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs RO, De Vreede G-J, Nunamaker JF (2003) Collaboration engineering with thinklets to pursue sustained success with Group Support Systems. J Manag Inf Syst 19(4): 31–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrell G, Morgan G (1979) Sociological paradigms & organizational analysis. Heinemann, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Conradie DP (1998) Using information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development at centers in rural communities: lessons learned. Communicare 17(1): 97–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalkey N, Helmer O (1963) An experimental application of the Delphi method to the use of experts. Manag Sci 3(9): 458–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Bono E (1992) Serious creativity. Harper Collins Publishers, London

    Google Scholar 

  • De Kock DM (2000) Innovative teacher education and interactive technology support. S Afr J High Educ 14(3): 204–214

    Google Scholar 

  • de Vreede G-J, Mgaya RJ, Quresh S (2003) Field experiences with collaboration technology: a comparative study in Tanzania and South Africa. Inf Technol Dev 10(3): 201–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dix A, Ormerod T, Twidale M, Sas C, de Silva PAG, McKnight L (2006) Why bad ideas are a good idea. In: Proceedings of HCIEd2006 HCI Educators’ workshop, Limerick, Ireland, March 2006

  • Eden C, Ackermann F (1998) Analysing and comparing idiographic causal maps. In: Eden C, Spender JC (eds) Managerial and organisational cognition. Sage Publications Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Eden C, Ackermann F (2001) Group decision and negotiation in strategy making. Group Decis Negot 10(2): 119–140. doi:10.1023/A:1008710816126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finholt T (2001) Collaboratories. In: Cronin B (eds) Annual review of information science and technology. American Society for Information Science and Technology, Washington, pp 73–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Fransella F, Bell R, Bannister D (2004) A manual for repertory grid technique. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddens A (1984) The constitution of society. University of California Press, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Harter SL, Erbes CR (2004) Content analysis of the personal constructs of female sexual abuse survivors elicited through repertory grid technique. J Constr Psychol 17: 27–43. doi:10.1080/10720530490250679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honey P (1979a) The repertory grid in action. Ind Commer Train 11(11): 358–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honey P (1979b) The repertory grid in action: how to use it as a pre/post test to validate courses. Ind Commer Train 11(11): 359–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Honey P (1979c) The repertory grid in action: how to use it as a self insight exercise. Ind Commer Train 11(11): 407–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honey P (1979d) The repertory grid in action: how to use it to conduct an attitude survey. Ind Commer Train 11(11): 452–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter MG, Beck JE (2000) Using repertory grids to conduct cross-cultural information systems research. Inf Syst Res 11(1): 93–101. doi:10.1287/isre.11.1.93.11786

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iversen JH, Mathiassen L, Nielsen PA (2004) Managing risk in software process improvement: an action research approach. Manag Inf Syst Q 28(3): 395–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvenpaa SL, Leidner DE (1998) Communication and trust in global virtual teams. JCMC 3(4), June 1998

  • Kelly GA (1955) The psychology of personal constructs—a theory of personality, vol 1. WW Norton & Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Laukkanen M (1998) Conducting causal mapping research: opportunities and challenges. In: Eden C, Spender JC (eds) Managerial and organisational cognition. Sage Publications Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Truex DP (2000) Exploring the impact of formal training in ISD methods on the cognitive structure of novice information systems developers. Inf Syst J 10: 347–367. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2575.2000.00086.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren R, Henfridsson O, Schultze U (2004) Design principles for competence management systems: a synthesis of an action research study. Manag Inf Syst Q 28(3): 435–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden D, Littler D (2000) Repertory grid technique: an interpretive research framework. Eur J Mark 34(7): 816–883. doi:10.1108/03090560010331261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mårtensson P, Lee AS (2004) Dialogical action research at omega corporation. Manag Inf Syst Q 28(3): 507–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Phahlamohlaka LJ, Friend J (2004) Community planning for rural education in South Africa. Eur J Oper Res (152):684–695. doi:10.1016/S0377-2217(03)00066-3

  • Phahlamohlaka LJ, Lotriet HH (2002a) An investigation into community development imperatives brought about by the recent establishment of a local area network and access to the Internet at a rural South African community education center. In: Proceedings of the seventh international working conference of IFIP WG 9.4, Bangalore, India, 29–31 May, pp 462–476

  • Phahlamohlaka LJ, Lotriet HH (2002b) The impact of computer hardware theft on ICT introduction to South African rural communities: an interpretive assessment through focus groups and morphological analysis. In: Proceedings of the United Kingdom systems society conference, York, United Kingdom, 07–10 July, pp 283–292

  • Scheepers H, De Villiers C (1999) Teaching of a computer literacy course: a case study using traditional and co-operative learning. In: Proceedings of the 7th European conference on information systems (ECIS), Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Siebeling T (2004) A novel approach to innovation processes in community driven projects: how an extended learning selection model explains the success of ABC, an educational community development project in rural South Africa. Unpublished M.Sc. dissertation, Eindhoven University of Technology

  • Stewart V, Stewart A (1990) Business applications of repertory grid. McGraw-Hill, United Kingdom

    Google Scholar 

  • Susman G, Evered R (1978) An assessment of the scientific merits of action research. Adm Sci Q 23(4): 582–603. doi:10.2307/2392581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan FB, Hunter MG (2002) The repertory grid technique: a method for the study of cognition in information systems. MISQ 26(1): 39–57. doi:10.2307/4132340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trauth EM, Jessup LM (2000) Understanding computer-mediated discussions: positivist and interpretive analyses of group support system use. MISQ 24(1): 43–79. doi:10.2307/3250979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Ven AH, Delbecq A (1974) The effectiveness of nominal, delphi and interacting group decision making processes. Acad Manag J 17(4): 605–621. doi:10.2307/255641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whyte G, Bytheway A (1996) Factors affecting information systems’ success. Int J Serv Ind Manag 7(1): 74–93. doi:10.1108/09564239610109429

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa

    Patricia Alexander, Johan van Loggerenberg & Hugo Lotriet

  2. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa

    Jackie Phahlamohlaka

Authors
  1. Patricia Alexander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Johan van Loggerenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hugo Lotriet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jackie Phahlamohlaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patricia Alexander.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alexander, P., van Loggerenberg, J., Lotriet, H. et al. The Use of the Repertory Grid for Collaboration and Reflection in a Research Context. Group Decis Negot 19, 479–504 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10726-008-9132-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10726-008-9132-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation