Suchergebnisse

"The purpose of this manuscript is to share the development of an action
research project that utilized different methodological perspectives for different
stages of the project. I begin with a brief overview of the substantive
orientations of the project, before concentrating on the particulars of
the research process. I focus on, to start, my status as a researcher "insider-
outsider" to both the research process and investigated phenomenon.
A detailed explication of the action research design follows, drawing attention
to the three distinct evolving stages of the project, and my use of
both Heideggerian phenomenology and naturalistic inquiry to elicit the
rich data required for this action research project. Data is presented from
each of the three stages of the study to demonstrate how the generation of
actionable knowledge took place. The journey from learning and the creation
of local theory, to an action plan and practical, actionable knowledge
outcomes is carefully explored. The paper concludes by sharing how actionable
knowledge outcomes at the local, individual level can also be
used as input to actionable knowledge on a much wider scale with a national
study, currently underway in Australia being described – all in the
interests of improving the human condition." (author's abstract)

This paper examines the largely under-researched area of management attitudes toward chronically ill and disabled persons in the workplace and argues that it is a matter of urgency for management to consider the legal, sociological and economic ramifications of recent legislative moves which seek to protect the rights of such citizens. The issues of power, group behaviour and discrimination are explored, as is society's treatment of so- called 'deviants' in the population. Myths about the disabled in the workplace are critiqued. Issues canvassed here arise at a time when legislative and societal pressure demands change both in thought and in deed, particularly among human resource managers in the public and private sector.

Creative nonfiction writing is used to interpret secondary data and produce a short story depicting events of workplace bullying in the public sector as also being acts of corruption. Creative nonfiction writing enables interrogation of, and vicarious experience of, sensitive, complex, and controversial workplace events. Readers are invited to think, and feel, the events of bullying (and corruption), as well the multiple perspectives involved. For organizations grappling with workplace bullying, understanding the behaviors as also being potentially corrupt will deepen understanding, as will recognition of the possible rationales of those involved in its downward spiral.

"My reflections from the field are shared in an effort to assist others. I
commence by describing a social problem that was the focus of an action
research project. I then articulate the paradigmatic, methodological and
method choices made. I share extracts of data collected during different
stages of the project to illustrate cycles of learning, reflection, and the development
of actionable knowledge. What is important for researchers
who are contemplating choosing action research is to understand the
philosophy behind their decisions; that they think carefully about "why
we do what we do" in order to fully realise the outcomes of co-learning,
developing actionable knowledge and, ultimately, making change." (author's abstract)