Production
https://prod.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/0103-6513.20220099
Production
Research Article

Action research supported by remote collaboration tools: analysis of two operations management applications

João Paulo Estevam de Souza; Jorge Muniz Junior

Downloads: 0
Views: 498

Abstract

Paper aims: This paper aims to discuss how Remote Collaboration Tools (RCT) can support and contribute to Action Research (AR) applications in operations management research.

Originality: Researchers shall capture the complexity of studied phenomena when conducting AR. Although, there is a lack of information regarding the use of RCT in AR. Hence, this paper provides original and comprehensive guidelines for the application of RCT in AR.

Research method: This paper provides an ex-post analysis of two face-to-face AR cases, based on the steps proposed by Coughlan and Coughlan (2002). Based on the ex-post analysis, it explains ex-ante and how RCT can impact and contribute to AR on operations management.

Main findings: The paper presents reflections, insights and guidance about the impacts of RCT in AR. RCT allow possibilities for continuity and efficient use of resources in AR. Although, when choosing RCT, special efforts should be put into team building and engagement.

Implications for theory and practice: The description of how the RCT can be used in the AR cycle can contribute to theory based on empirical results as guidance to increase value considering AR quality criteria. We intend to provide material for the advance of the field of Operations, Production and Management, theoretically and practically.

Keywords

Digital tools, Remote work, Collaboration, Research method, Production

References

Altrichter, H., Kemmis, S., McTaggart, R., & Zuber-Skerritt, O. (2002). The concept of action research. The Learning Organization, 9(3), 125-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09696470210428840.

Avella, L., & Alfaro, J. A. (2014). Spanish University Business Chairs used to increase the deployment of Action Research in Operations Management: a case study and analysis. Action Research, 12(2), 194-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476750314528010.

Avison, D. E., Lau, F. C. M., Myers, M. D., & Nielsen, P. (1999). Action research. Communications of the ACM, 42(1), 94-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/291469.291479.

Bertrand, C., & Bourdeau, L. (2010). Research interviews by Skype: a new data collection method. In 9th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies. Reading: Academic Conferences.

Blake, M. K. (2007). Formality and friendship: research ethics review and participatory action research. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 6(3), 411-421.

Carr, W. (2006). Philosophy, methodology and action research. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 40(4), 421-435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9752.2006.00517.x.

Coughlan, P., & Coghlan, D. (2002). Action research for operations management. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 22(2), 220-240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01443570210417515.

Craighead, C. W., & Meredith, J. (2008). Operations management research: evolution and alternative future paths. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 28(8), 710-726. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01443570810888625.

Crowther, S., Balabanoff, D., Kay, L., & Hall, J. (2021). Using a virtual platform for an asynchronous cooperative inquiry. Action Research. In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/14767503211004707.

Edmunds, H. (1999). The focus group research handbook. The Bottom Line (New York, N.Y.), 12(3), 46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/bl.1999.12.3.46.1.

European Parliament, Directorate General for Internal Policies, Policy Department A: Economic and Scientific Policy (2016). Industry 4.0: study for the ITRE committee. Brussels: European Parliament. Retrieved in 2022, August 24, from http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/570007/IPOL_STU(2016)570007_EN.pdf.

Flood, R. L. (2010). The relationship of ‘systems thinking’ to action research. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 23(4), 269-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11213-010-9169-1.

Gummesson, E. (2000). Qualitative methods in management research. Atlanta: Sage.

James, N., & Busher, H. (2016). Online interviewing. Qualitative Research, 4, 245-259.

Kemmis, S. (2010). What is to be done? The place of action research. Educational Action Research, 18(4), 417-427. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2010.524745.

McKay, J., & Marshall, P. (2001). The dual imperatives of action research. Information Technology & People, 14(1), 46-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09593840110384771.

Mello, C. H. P., Turrioni, J. B., Xavier, A. F., & Campos, D. F. (2012). Action research in production engineering: a structure proposal for its conduction. Production, 22(1), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-65132011005000056.

Micheli, P., Johnson, M., & Godsell, J. (2021). How the Covid-19 pandemic has affected, and will affect, operations and supply chain management research and practice. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 41(6), 773-780. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-06-2021-902.

Miguel, P. A. C. (2007). Estudo de caso na engenharia de produção: estruturação e recomendações para sua condução. Production, 17(1), 216-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-65132007000100015.

Monk, G., & Gehart, D. R. (2003). Sociopolitical activist or conversational partner? Distinguishing the position of the therapist in narrative and collaborative therapies. Family Process, 42(1), 19-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2003.00019.x. PMid:12698596.

Nakano, D., & Muniz Junior, J. (2018). Writing the literature review for empirical papers. Production, 28, e20170086. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.20170086.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – OECD. (2017). Digital Economy Outlook. Retrieved in 2022, August 24, from https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/6f9d3f23-pt/index.html?itemId=/content/component/6f9d3f23-pt.

Perry, C., & Gummesson, E. (2004). Action research in marketing. European Journal of Marketing, 38(3/4), 310-320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090560410518567.

Reason, P., & Bradbury, H. (2001). Handbook of action research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Rezabek, R. J. (2000). Online focus groups: electronic discussions for research. Forum Qualitative Social Research, 1(1), 18.

Schmidt-Jones, C. A. (2020). The promise and challenge of online action research: notes from a study of self-motivated online music learners. Action Research, 18(3), 372-386. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476750317698026.

Shamim, S., Cang, S., Yu, H., & Li, Y. (2017). Management approaches for Industry 4.0: a human resource management perspective. In IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (pp. 5309-5316). New York: IEEE.

Shani, A. B., & Coghlan, D. (2019). Action research in business and management: a reflective review. Action Research, 19(3), 518-541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476750319852147.

Shani, A. B., & Pasmore, W. A. (1985). Organization inquiry: towards a new model of the action research process. In D. D. Warrick (Ed.), Contemporary organization development: current thinking and applications (pp. 438-448). Glenview: Scott Foresman.

SIEMENS. (2015). On the way to Industrie 4.0: the digital enterprise. Retrieved in 2022, August 24, from https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:558e2625-d63c-4567-9bb0-1553ae567ff2/presentation-e.pdf

Souza, J. P. E., & Alves, J. M. (2018). Lean-integrated management system: a model for sustainability improvement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 2667-2682. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.144.

Sullivan, J. R. (2012). Skype: an appropriate method of data collection for qualitative interviews? The Hilltop Review, 6(1), 10.

United States of America. (2018). Strategy for American leadership in advanced manufacturing. Washington: National Science and Technology Council. Retrieved in 2022, August 24, from https://www.manufacturing.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/Advanced-Manufacturing-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf.

Wicks, P. G., & Reason, P. (2009). Initiating action research: challenges and paradoxes of opening communicative space. Action Research, 7(3), 243-262. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1476750309336715.

Wintersberger, D., & Saunders, M. (2020). Formulating and clarifying the research topic: insights and a guide for the production management research community. Production, 30, 30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.20200059.
 


Submitted date:
08/24/2022

Accepted date:
04/17/2023

649305b7a9539514a23eac64 production Articles
Links & Downloads

Production

Share this page
Page Sections