Gillian Ragsdell

Critical Issues in Systems Theory and Practice

Plenary Papers: Systems Theory and Management Thinking (P.B. Checkland). Student Papers: Application of Multicriteria Analysis to Ranking and Evaluation of Water Development Projects (The Case of Jordan) (B. AlKloub). Systems Methodology and Practice: A Framework for Analyzing SSMbased Studies (A. Barnden et al.). Information Systems Theory and Practice: Soft Systems Analysis and Modeling Tool (SSAMT): Computer Based Support for Conducting Soft Systems Studies (M.S. Davenport, J. AyersHunt). Critical Issues in Information Management: Structuring Information for Executive Action (C.J. Bacon). Critical Systems Thinking: Systems Constructs and Cultural Filters. Learning from a Management Development Program in Poland (M.A. Barrett, B. Crellin). Critical Issues in Business Systems: Systems Models for Designing the Organizational Restructuring of Companies during the Process of Ownership Changes (W.H. Adamkiewicz). Medical Information and Health Care Systems: SSM-A Guiding Light in the Introduction to Hospital Case Mix Management Systems? (P.J. Baugh et al.). Educational Systems: The Hybrid Academic: A Changing Profession (J.G. Howell, F.A. Stowell). Community and Environmental Systems: Total Systems Intervention in Strategic Planning (R.K. Ellis, A.J. Humphreys). 98 additional articles. Index.

Engineering a paradigm shift

Brings together some of the empirical findings from a series of action research projects undertaken in a number of engineering companies. Systems concepts were employed with engineers to assist organisational change. The key driver for each programme of change was the implementation of a new company‐wide strategy for increasing competitive edge in the open market. In each instance, senior management recognised that, while their engineers possessed the “hard”, technical skills to fulfil such a strategy, they did not all possess the “soft”, people‐related skills to cope with the cultural aspects of the change. Systems concepts, such as rich pictures and metaphors, were used to generate new perspectives that would stimulate a more holistic approach to organisational change management.

Knowledge management in the voluntary sector: a focus on sharing project know-how and expertise

Voluntary sector organisations are operated principally by volunteers who are not obliged to share their knowledge, as might be expected in a for-profit company, with a greater consequent loss of knowledge should individuals leave. This research examines how a volunteer-led organisation, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), acquires, stores and shares its project knowledge in the context of event management. Three annual CAMRA festivals of different sizes and maturity were selected to see how volunteers’ knowledge is managed in the process of organising their festivals. Key Festival Officers were interviewed and focus groups, comprising of festival volunteers, were conducted. While the maturity of a festival and its size seemed to influence the ways in which knowledge was managed there were some commonalities between festivals. Evident was a strong master-apprentice model of learning with little formal training or record keeping except, that is, where legislation and accountability in treasury and health and safety functions were necessary. Trust between volunteers and their need to know and to share information appeared to be dependent, in part, on their perception and confidence in the success of the overarching project organisation, and this helped shape volunteers’ knowledge-sharing practices. While there was evidence of a laissez-faire approach to codification and the sharing of knowledge, this was less so when volunteers recognised a genuine lack of knowledge, which would hinder the success of their festival. The analysis also highlighted factors related to the sharing of knowledge that, it is suggested, have not been identified in the for-profit sector.

Participatory action research: a winning strategy for KM

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an emerging debate centred on the ways in which knowledge management (KM) might be effectively researched and, in turn, how KM practice might be improved.Design/methodology/approach – Burrell and Morgans paradigms are used to set the scene and to highlight the changing focus in three closely related areas – research per se, the KM movement and KM research. Albeit the changes are not occurring simultaneously, the general trend in these areas is similar i.e. there is a move from a functionalist stance to one based on interpretivism. Next, case study research and participatory action research (PAR) are introduced as examples of research approaches that, respectively, tend to reflect the functionalist and interpretivist paradigms. Then there is an analysis of a KM research project from each of these approaches. Each research project is analysed with respect to five dimensions and in terms of the benefits that the organisation gained for its KM practice....

Investigating essential elements of community engagement in public libraries: An exploratory qualitative study

This article discusses the findings of an exploratory qualitative case study involving Leicester Central Library. The purpose of this study was to investigate essential elements of community engagement in public libraries. Three research methods – semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis – were used to gather data. Analysis of the data suggested a model of seven essential elements of community engagement: ‘belonging’, ‘commitment’, ‘communication’, ‘a flexible approach’, ‘genuineness’, ‘relevance’ and ‘sustainability’. Implications of the model are made in conclusion for the promotion of genuine community engagement, where the community-driven approach and the organic nature of the community engagement process are seen as being paramount to engagement.

Information overload: The differences that age makes

Information overload has long been studied as a phenomenon that causes problems at the personal, social and organisational level. This study investigates overload from a new angle, that of the influence of age on perceptions of information overload. A combination of questionnaires, interviews and diaries were used to gain insight into people’s perceptions towards information overload. It was found that people of all ages suffer from information overload but young people are primarily affected by information literacy levels while older people are affected by technology. There was evidence of a link between age and technology use. A link was also found between job role and information overload and the impact technology has had on the quantity of information available. This research will benefit anyone, either individually or within an organisation, looking for ways to combat information overload. It identifies the influence of age on various factors and recommends actions that may be taken to reduce information overload. In particular, recommendations were made for further training in technology and information literacy. The paper is based on an approach not seen before in the literature as it investigates the effects of age on information overload by seeking to understand how perceptions towards information overload may differ between different age groups. It is anticipated that this paper will trigger further studies that could focus on the effect of job role on information overload and the likelihood of information addiction becoming a future concern.

Applying the motivation-opportunity-ability (MOA) model to reveal factors that influence inclusive engagement within local community festivals : The case of UtcaZene 2012

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to debate on community engagement and participation in local community festivals and events by empirically analysing the factors which either inhibit or facilitate engagement. The application of the motivation-opportunity-ability (MOA) model to the analysis of community festivals is an important contribution. Design/methodology/approach – Recognising the complexity associated with community participation in festivals produced a set of four research questions which are addressed via a mixed methodology research design. The model was then tested using four key data collection methods including the interviews and the questionnaires analysed within this paper. Findings – The MOA model can be seen as an appropriate framework with which to analyse community engagement in a local community festival setting, in the case of “The Utcazene-Fesztival”, a Street Music Festival in Veszprem, Hungary. Community participation is often interpreted quite simply as a way of involving lo...

Investigating the Application of the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability Model to Reveal Factors Which Facilitate or Inhibit Inclusive Engagement Within Local Community Festivals

Abstract Currently there is limited understanding, agreement, and research within the phenomena of community engagement and participation in local community festivals and events. This article aims to contribute to this growing, but limited, debate by justifying the adaption and integration of the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) model, and proposing a combination of primary data collection and analysis methods, to reveal and understand the factors that either inhibit or facilitate local community engagement in festivals and events. The rationale of this conceptual article is to determine how sustainability can be defined and achieved within local community festivals and events, by developing sustainable and inclusive community networks where the local population is actively engaged within the creation of events. The article begins by exploring the literature surrounding communities, community festivals and events, and community engagement. The article then moves on to discuss the MOA model and its adaption and application to event studies. It builds on concepts discussed by Jepson, Clarke, and Ragsdell [(2012, June 13–15). Investigating the use of the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) Model to reveal the factors which facilitate or inhibit inclusive engagement within local community festivals. Global events congress: Conference proceedings, Stavanger, Norway] that support the creation of inclusive community festivals and events through inclusive participation within the planning and decision-making process. The article then moves on to explore the methodological concerns triggered by this model, such as the need to be adaptable and flexible across a multifaceted community event with regard to collecting primary data whilst maintaining integrity and validity during analysis. Finally, the article comments on the overall suitability of the MOA model to capture primary data and draw conclusions about best practice for community engagement in local festivals and events.

Participatory Action Research and the Development of Critical Creativity: A “Natural” Combination?

This paper focuses on the research strategy that I employed during doctoral studies. An overarching framework of Action Research (AR) was used in the development of a complementary approach to creative studies. At the time of the studies AR seemed to be a “natural” choice and I did not overly concern myself with exploring as to why that was the case. However, I recognize the value of contemplating the appropriateness of research strategy and, in this paper, now reflect on some of the parallel strands implicit in AR and in “critical creativity” that I now realize served to enrich the overall research process.

Knowledge sharing: insights from Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Festival volunteers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a British Academy funded project that investigated the knowledge sharing activities of volunteers within three Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) festivals. Design/methodology/approach – Three case study festivals were selected based on factors such as longevity and size. Rich qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with volunteers in key festival roles and focus groups with a range of other volunteers. Findings – A range of inhibitors and enablers to sharing festival knowledge were identified, some of which have not yet featured in the knowledge management (KM) literature. Rieges categorisation of individual, organisational and technological barriers to knowledge sharing was used to frame discussion of the findings. Research limitations/implications – Volunteer-led festivals are a novel context for knowledge sharing research yet the principles of volunteer working and the project-based approach to most festivals means t...