IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/syspar/v37y2024i5d10.1007_s11213-024-09693-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring Action Research Sponsorship: Role and Enactment

Author

Listed:
  • Henrik Saabye

    (Aarhus University
    VELUX)

  • Paul Coughlan

    (Trinity College Dublin)

  • Thomas Borup Kristensen

    (Aarhus University)

Abstract

This paper explores the complexities of involving partner organisations in co-generative learning processes within Action Research (AR) initiatives. Despite formal agreements, action researchers often face challenges in collaboratively addressing specific organisational issues through AR cycles. When action researchers adopt the “friendly outsider’ role, their initial task is to secure commitment to an AR initiative from senior leaders as sponsors. However, the existing literature lacks comprehensive guidance on facilitating this commitment. Therefore, drawing from both literature and empirical cases, this paper examines the pivotal role of the AR sponsor in securing funding and political backing, offering constructive critique, and facilitating learning. It provides insights into how action researchers can facilitate sponsors to enact these roles effectively so as to ensure the success and sustainability of organisational changes resulting from AR initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrik Saabye & Paul Coughlan & Thomas Borup Kristensen, 2024. "Exploring Action Research Sponsorship: Role and Enactment," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 37(5), pages 549-563, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:syspar:v:37:y:2024:i:5:d:10.1007_s11213-024-09693-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11213-024-09693-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11213-024-09693-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11213-024-09693-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henrik Saabye, 2023. "Advancements on action learning and lean complementarity: a case of developing leaders as lean learning facilitators," Action Learning: Research and Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 38-56, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.

      Corrections

      All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:syspar:v:37:y:2024:i:5:d:10.1007_s11213-024-09693-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

      If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

      If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

      If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

      For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

      Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

      IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.