1. Reinventing University Research: The Case for Actionable Knowledge
Jeff Gold
Professor of Organisation Learning
Leeds Becket University and elsewhere

2. Is the University in crisis?
The privileging of scientific theorising and models
Recognised need to ape the natural sciences to demonstrate the rigour - ‘physics envy’ (Bennis and O’Toole 2005)
Power of economics - concern for models, mathematical proofs, market solutions and claims of value-freedom.
Sumantra Ghoshal (2005) - propogation of ‘ideologically inspired amoral theories’ (p.76) where bad theories are driving out good practices.
The GFC and Post GFC – agents of neo-liberalism?
the “failure of the collective imagination of many bright people”
“economists have been part of the problem, not part of the solution” (Krugman 2012, p. 92).

3. Nicholas Maxwell’s Critique
Social Sciences set alongside Natural Sciences
Devoted to the pursuit of knowledge – knowledge-inquiry
1. acquire knowledge
2. knowledge is objective, value-free, reliable
Secondary role given to solving the ‘problems of living’ – it is a ‘disaster’
global warming, destruction of natural habitats, pollution, war, weapons spread, gulf widening between poor/rich, banking disconnection
Wisdom - the capacity and active desire to realize what is of value in life
Wisdom-inquiry – problems of living, knowledge for action, co-operation, justice to their interests

4. Maxwell’s Social Methodology

5. So….what are the current problems of living of concern to the University?

6. Uncertainty
Equivocality
Wicked Issues
Tame Issues
“In the varied topography of professional practice, there is a high, hard ground overlooking a swamp. On the high ground, manageable problems lend themselves to solution through the use of research-based theory and technique. In the swampy lowlands, problems are messy and confusing and incapable of technical solution. The irony of this situation is that the problems of the high ground tend to be relatively unimportant to individuals or to society at large, however great their technical interest may be, while in the swamp lie the problems of greatest human concern.”
Schön (1983)
Usually Action Modes of Research begin with an issue of concern However, we make a clear move in the direction of what are called Wicked or issues of equivocality. That means they are not easily solved, like Tame issues which tend to be solved by removing uncertainty with an answer which is likely to exist.
Answers which already exist we can call Regenerative but answers that do not, we call Generative….
Schon’s notion of the Swamp is useful and most people, if they are honest, are challenged by swamp issues

7. Solution seeking a problem Complexity, wicked, mess Unknown problem
Unknown solution
Known solution
Known problem
Task
Problem solving
Solution seeking a problem
Complexity, wicked, mess
Unknown problem
Another way of presenting the swamp….but notice that unknown solutions are not comfortable
So people often repeat well rehearsed answers, even in the face of unknown problems
Move to the bottom right corner requires help and a different understanding

8. In Organisations
At work, most of the reason for failed solutions to difficult issues, like change, lie in the assumptions in the image on the left
The right shows why plans at work often fail or achieve partial success

9. Where can you start with such horror!

10. xxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx ?
xxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx ?

11. Wicked
Tame
Importalntly we move from tame to wicked issues

12. Approaches to Research
Knowledge Inquiry
Wisdom Inquiry
We also move from traditional research which adds to abstract knowledge which might be applied to Mode 2 where knowledge is always relevant for practice

13. Knowledge Inquiry Tame Wicked Wisdom Inquiry
Action Modalities – action learning, action research, cooperative research, appreciative enquiry, CHAT, SSM, PAR, CAR
So we can see the place for the action modes
Wisdom Inquiry

14. Cultural-Historical Activity Theory: research on activity as a unit of analysis that is analyzable in its contextuality and is specific to human beings by being culturally mediated and dynamic
Action science - work-based intervention for helping learners increase their effectiveness in social situations through heightened awareness of their action and interaction assumptions
Action Research - knowledge generation that is based on a collaborative problem-solving relationship between researcher and client
Action Modes of Research - problem focused research, completed in the context of practice which results in knowledge that is useful through its application
Action learning -a group setting that seeks to generate learning across multiple levels, from individuals to systems, arising from engagement in the solution of real-time (not simulated) work problems
Soft Systems Methodology- a learning based inquiry to make improvements using systems models and thinking
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) - focus on the positive capabilities of people and organizations and building on such capabilities
Cooperative Inquiry- participants engage in self-critical examination in the presence of a group, which iinvites spontaneous inquiry into its own patterns allowing the generating of ideas and designing and managing projects.

15. RECONCILING WESTERN GOVERNANCE THEORY WITH NIGERIAN PRACTICE
Example 1
RECONCILING WESTERN GOVERNANCE THEORY WITH NIGERIAN PRACTICE
A GROUNDED ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
ADRIAN OGUN

16. RESEARCH PROBLEM
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: SYSTEM BY WHICH ENTERPRISE ACTIVITY IS DIRECTED & CONTROLLED AND CONFLICTING INTERESTS MANAGED
TNIs (WORLD BANK) PROMOTE WESTERN SYSTEM IN NIGERIA
NIGERIAN FIRMS AWARE OF TNI PRINCIPLES BUT DO NOT PRACTICE

17. GROUNDED THEORY/ALR

18. Appreciative Inquiry using Action Learning
Example 2
Appreciative Inquiry using Action Learning
West Yorkshire Police – Culture Shift following audit showing significant problems
Engagement
Trust
Confidence
Review and Feedback
Leadership
Decision-Making
Silo Working
Change

19. The Issues Engagement Trust Confidence Review and Feedback Leadership
Decision-Making
Silo Working
Change

20. The AI Cycle Discovery Destiny Dreaming Designing Champion Group – 9
AI +AL
Destiny
(Delivery)
Dreaming
Designing

21. Engagement and Trust

22. ENGAGEMENT AND TRUST: KEY ACTIONS AND PROCESSES
Consult and Listen
Attitude of Humility
Communication
Ideas and Innovation
Reward and Recognition
Review and Challenge

23. So….what can the University do for current problems of living?