Skip to main content
Log in

Action Learning and Action Research (ALAR): A Methodological Integration in an Inter-Organizational Setting

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Systemic Practice and Action Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how action learning and action research were used concurrently as a single ALAR methodology in one research project which focused on collaborative improvement in the supply chain. The research in which the ALAR methodology was used was a European Union funded research project called CO-IMPROVE which sought to develop a business model, supported by a web-based software system, and action learning-based implementation guidelines to support the design, implementation and ongoing development of collaborative improvement between partners in Extended Manufacturing Enterprises (EMEs). The article describes how the participating managers worked in an action learning to achieve their commercial objectives and how action research was used by academic researchers to consolidate the action learning processes and to generate actionable knowledge.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler N, Shani AB (Rami) (2001) In search of an alternative framework for the creation of actionable knowledge: table-tennis research at Ericsson. In: Pasmore W, Woodman RW (eds) Research in organizational change and development, vol 13. JAI, Greenwich, CT, pp 43–79

  • Argyris C, Putnam R, Smith D (1985) Action science. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris C (1993) Knowledge for action. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris C, Schon D (1996) Organizational learning II. Addison-Wesley, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm RF (1998) Developing network organizations. Addison-Wesley, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan D, Coughlan P (2002) Developing organizational learning capabilities in inter-organizational action learning. In: Rahim MA, Golembiewski RT, MacKenzie KD (eds) Current topics in management, vol 7. Transaction, New Brunswick, pp 33–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan D, Coughlan P (2003) Acquiring the capacity for operational improvement: an action research opportunity. Hum Resour Plann 26(2):30–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan D, Coughlan P (2006) Designing and implementing collaborative improvement in the extended manufacturing enterprise: action learning and action research (ALAR) in CO-IMPROVE. Learn Organ 13(2):152–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan D, Coughlan P, Brennan L (2004) Organising for research and action: implementing action researcher networks. Syst Pract Action Res 17(1):37–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coughlan P, Coghlan D (2004) Action learning: towards a framework in inter-organizational settings. Action Learn Theory Res 1(1):43–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons M, Limoges C, Nowotny H, Schwartzman S, Scott P, Trow M (1994) The new production of knowledge. Sage, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight L (2002) Network learning: exploring learning by inter-organizational networks. Hum Relat 55(4):427–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight L, Pye A (2004) Exploring the relationships between network change and network learning. Manage Learn 35(4):473–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane C (2001) Organizational learning in supplier networks. In: Diekes M, Antal A, Child J, Nonaka I (eds) Handbook of organizational knowledge and learning. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 699–714

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowstedt J, Stjernberg T (2006) Producing management knowledge. Routledge, Abingdon

    Google Scholar 

  • McGill I, Beaty L (1995) Action learning, 2nd edn. Kogan Page, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Marguardt M (1999) Action learning in action. Davies-Black, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquardt M (2004) Optimizing the power of action learning. Davies-Black, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Middel R, Brennan L, Coghlan D, Coughlan P (2005) The application of action learning and action research in collaborative improvement within the extended manufacturing enterprise. In: Kotzab H, Seuring S, Müller M, Reiner GG (eds) Research methodologies in supply chain management. Physica-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 365–380

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Raelin JA (1999) Preface. Manage Learn 30(2):115–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reason P, Torbert WR (2001) The action turn: toward a transformational social science. Concepts Transform 6(1):1–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Revans RW (1982) The origins and growth of action learning. Chantwell Bratt, Bromley

    Google Scholar 

  • Sankaran S, Dick B, Passfield R, Swepson P (2001) Effective change management using action learning and action research. Southern Cross University Press, Lismore

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge P (1990) The fifth discipline. Doubleday, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Swepson P, Dick B, Zuber-Skerritt O, Passfield R, Carroll A-M, Wadsworth Y (2003) A history of the action learning, action research and process management association (ALARPM): from Brisbane to the world through inclusions and networks. Syst Pract Action Res 16(4)

  • Zuber-Skerritt O (2003) A model for designing action learning and action research programs. Learn Organ 9(4):143–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Coghlan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Coghlan, D., Coughlan, P. Action Learning and Action Research (ALAR): A Methodological Integration in an Inter-Organizational Setting. Syst Pract Act Res 21, 97–104 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-007-9086-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-007-9086-0

Keywords

Navigation