Research Methods and Methodologies for Studying Organisational Learning European and Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems 13-14 July 2009 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Izmir By Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Dr Nandish Patel Brunel University

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Objectives & Methods Current Position Of Research Methods Organisational Learning & Learning Organisation Which Methods Are Appropriate for OL? Research Methods Used in Previous LO Studies OL Research Methods Framework Conclusion, Implications & Future Research 13 July 2009 Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel ©

Objectives & Methods

Current Position Of Research Methods

Organisational Learning & Learning Organisation

Which Methods Are Appropriate for OL?

Research Methods Used in Previous LO Studies

OL Research Methods Framework

Conclusion, Implications & Future Research

OBJECTIVES & METHOD Objectives: To compare and evaluate the main research methods and methodologies for studying Organisational Learning (OL), and To propose a guideline for selecting a suitable method for studying OL Method: A comprehensive review of literature covering OL, Learning Organisation (LO) and research methods Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009

Objectives:

To compare and evaluate the main research methods and methodologies for studying Organisational Learning (OL), and

To propose a guideline for selecting a suitable method for studying OL

Method:

A comprehensive review of literature covering OL, Learning Organisation (LO) and research methods

CURRENT POSITION OF RESEARCH METHODS Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009 2 Main Views Purists’ View Research issues are either Quantitative or Qualitative Pragmatists’ View Research issues are both Quantitative and Qualitative Emergents’ View Deferred Action of Rich and Purposeful Research Design (Patel 2006) Mixed Methods & Triangulation (Onwuegbuzie & Leech, 2005; Tashakkori & Teddlie 1998) Mono-Methods (Howe, 1988; Smith & Heshusius, 1986)

ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING (OL) & LEARNING ORGANISATION (LO) A slight difference between OL & LO, hence they are interchangeably used (Burnes et 2003) Research Methods for OL = Research Methods for LO (Nyame-Asiamah & Patel, 2009) Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009 OL is management paradigm to transform organisations in a continuous fashion (Burnes et 2003) More applicable in unpredictable & unstable environment LO is place where members continuously develop capacity to innovate (Senge, 1990) LO is an advanced form of OL

A slight difference between OL & LO, hence they are interchangeably used (Burnes et 2003)

Research Methods for OL = Research Methods for LO

(Nyame-Asiamah & Patel, 2009)

OL is management paradigm to transform organisations in a continuous fashion (Burnes et 2003)

More applicable in unpredictable & unstable environment

LO is place where members

continuously develop capacity

to innovate (Senge, 1990)

LO is an advanced form of OL

The choice of research method “becomes much more complex when the ontological investigation attempts to achieve systems rethinking, a change in social-cultural practices or promote OL” (Nyame-Asiamah & Patel, 2009) A comprehensive review of the following methods previously used for studying OL was made: Qualitative methods Quantitative methods Combined methods Conceptual papers WHICH METHODS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR OL? Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009

The choice of research method “becomes much more complex when the ontological investigation attempts to achieve systems rethinking, a change in social-cultural practices or promote OL” (Nyame-Asiamah & Patel, 2009)

A comprehensive review of the following methods previously used for studying OL was made:

Qualitative methods

Quantitative methods

Combined methods

Conceptual papers

QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PREVIOUS LO STUDIES Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009 Research Aim Theory Methodology Author & Year Explore individual and collective workplace learning Workplace Learning Theory and Chaordic Systems Thinking Standardised observations and interviews Kira & Frieling (2007) Examine how software systems and organisations co-evolve in an Australian university Complex Adaptive Systems Interpretive case -ethnographic methods and interviews Kim & Kaplan (2006) Develop new management strategies for Swiss urban water management Conceptual Framework of Social Learning Agent-based social simulation - focus group, interviews, questionnaires, role play, etc. Pahl-Wostle & Hare (2004) Investigate how internet & ICT could be embedded within a firm’s marketing strategy Johnson and Hignite’s Model for Internet User Organisations Email questionnaires, personal interviews & documentations Martin & Matlay (2003)

QUANTATITATIVE METHODS IN PREVIOUS LO STUDIES Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009 Research Aim Theory Methodology Author & Year Investigate the patterns of LO and evaluate the state of OL in Estonian companies Senge’s Five Model and Organisational Learning Framework Closed questionnaire & application of SPSS factor analysis for processing the data Mets and Torokoff (2007) Explore the correspondence between TQM and LO Senge’s Five Disciplines and Total Quality Management (TQM) Likert scale questionnaires analysed through correspondence analysis and K-means cluster technique Chang and Sun (2007) Examine individual-and organisational level processes that affect variation and selection/retention of beliefs March’s Model of Mutual Learning (March, 1991) Simulation involving real world organisational features Roden (2005)

MIXED METHODS IN PREVIOUS LO STUDIES Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009 Research Aim Theory Methodology Author & Year Assess the management practices/cultural attributes in local government and examine their relationships with performance The Denison Organisational Culture Survey (DOCS) model Interviews, surveys, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and factor analysis Sharma (2005) Explore the issues in training and development in relation to individual & organisational learning Analytical Framework from Literature Review Likert scale questionnaire survey, interviews, critical incident techniques, documentation McDougall and Beattie (1998)

EVALUATION OF SOME METHODS Action Research – participatory and fact-finding; needs excellent research skills Ethnography – reveals world view of people and challenges assumptions; time consuming and daunting Interviews – collect primary data; difficult getting access to a range of interviewees in organisation Simulation – artificial representation of real world; empiricist epistemology prohibits data not observable Factor Analysis – handles a huge numbers of variables and calculate correlations; difficult to find causes of associations in dynamic variables Case study – multiple sources in real-life context; time consuming 13 July 2009 Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel ©

Action Research – participatory and fact-finding; needs excellent research skills

Ethnography – reveals world view of people and challenges assumptions; time consuming and daunting

Interviews – collect primary data; difficult getting access to a range of interviewees in organisation

Simulation – artificial representation of real world; empiricist epistemology prohibits data not observable

Factor Analysis – handles a huge numbers of variables and calculate correlations; difficult to find causes of associations in dynamic variables

Case study – multiple sources in real-life context; time consuming

OL RESEARCH METHODS FRAMEWORK Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009

CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS OL can be studied through either quantitative or qualitative, or both Our findings do not tow a particular line with the purists and pragmatists’ differing views but conform with their convergence views OL research methodologies are chosen on the basis of research aims and theoretical assumptions OL Research Methods Framework provides an antidote for researchers struggling to select an appropriate method(s) Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009

OL can be studied through either quantitative or qualitative, or both

Our findings do not tow a particular line with the purists and pragmatists’ differing views but conform with their convergence views

OL research methodologies are chosen on the basis of research aims and theoretical assumptions

OL Research Methods Framework provides an antidote for researchers struggling to select an appropriate method(s)

FUTURE DIRECTIONS Ethnography was identified as one single method which shares the same philosophy with LO and complexity science but NOT many LO studies used it We propose that researchers should consider ethnography for investigating how people learn including their mental models and attitudes particularly in business organisations Deferred Action of rich and purposeful research design is also recommended as a potential tool for studying LO Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © 13 July 2009

Ethnography was identified as one single method which shares the same philosophy with LO and complexity science but NOT many LO studies used it

We propose that researchers should consider ethnography for investigating how people learn including their mental models and attitudes particularly in business organisations

Deferred Action of rich and purposeful research design is also recommended as a potential tool for studying LO

Thank You * CONTACT US FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS Frank.Nyame-Asiamah@brunel.ac.uk Nandish.Patel@brunel.ac.uk 13 July 2009 Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel © Thank You Frank.Nyame-Asiamah@brunel.ac.uk Nandish.Patel@brunel.ac.uk

13 July 2009 Frank Nyame-Asiamah & Nandish Patel ©