Shankar Sankaran – författare

The Evaluative Study of Action Research presents all eight published papers as part of the six-year, global, Evaluative Study of Action Research (ESAR) in one volume. The study sought to enhance the academic rigour of Action Research (AR) and provide greater evidence of its impact.

This research contained in this book shows, in a cohesive way, how the ESAR exemplifies original research incorporating new methodologies to create new knowledge. An Evaluative AR framework and indicators were created for initial qualitative data collection with six initial case studies using interviews, survey, documentary analysis, and Goal Attainment Scaling methods. The initial study was followed by a large-scale mixed method survey with 174 projects from across the globe. Almost all projects exhibited positive elements linked to AR precursors (focus clarification, stakeholder engagement, funding), processes (phased, planned yet flexible activity, data collection and analysis, ongoing collaboration and leadership), and outcomes/impacts (change, knowledge mobilisation and continuing action). The results of the ESAR, elaborated in this volume, offer important indications for how to create the sort of respectful engagement that is required for collective strength in solution based, innovative, change.

This book will be a valuable resource for: action researchers throughout the world; postgraduate research students, academics and libraries; evaluators; and anyone in communities who wishes to know how to create sustainable change.

The Evaluative Study of Action Research presents all eight published papers as part of the six-year, global, Evaluative Study of Action Research (ESAR) in one volume. The study sought to enhance the academic rigour of Action Research (AR) and provide greater evidence of its impact.

This research contained in this book shows, in a cohesive way, how the ESAR exemplifies original research incorporating new methodologies to create new knowledge. An Evaluative AR framework and indicators were created for initial qualitative data collection with six initial case studies using interviews, survey, documentary analysis, and Goal Attainment Scaling methods. The initial study was followed by a large-scale mixed method survey with 174 projects from across the globe. Almost all projects exhibited positive elements linked to AR precursors (focus clarification, stakeholder engagement, funding), processes (phased, planned yet flexible activity, data collection and analysis, ongoing collaboration and leadership), and outcomes/impacts (change, knowledge mobilisation and continuing action). The results of the ESAR, elaborated in this volume, offer important indications for how to create the sort of respectful engagement that is required for collective strength in solution based, innovative, change.

This book will be a valuable resource for: action researchers throughout the world; postgraduate research students, academics and libraries; evaluators; and anyone in communities who wishes to know how to create sustainable change.

The reader will learn how separate organizational functions, such as project, program and portfolio management and governance integrate in a cohesive manner. The authors describe how different approaches to competing in the marketplace link to strategies, and the ways of selecting the ''best'' business opportunities for organizations and integrating them into existing workflows and structures. They develop and describe a model that shows how OPM works within organizations.

The book is a valuable resource for top managers, reflective practitioners, academics, and postgraduate students in organization theory.

Through diverse case studies, chapters cover all aspects of the governance of projects, including theories of governance, governance approaches, mechanisms, and situational contingencies. It examines the governance of individual projects, groups of projects, megaprojects, and inter-organizational project networks in turn. Expert contributors explore key issues such as governance for sustainable development programs, benefit management, social value creation, ethical governance, and meta-governance. Drawing insights from industry, academia and the public sector, the Research Handbook provides a toolkit of resources that can be applied in diverse contexts.

Covering a wide range of approaches to the governance of projects, this Research Handbook will be a valuable guide for academics and students in governance, business, management, and organizational innovation. With extensive case studies illustrating how theories of governance can be practically applied, it will also be a useful resource for practicing managers seeking to develop their governance strategies.

The Handbook on Public-Private Partnerships in International Infrastructure Development addresses the crucial question: what makes an infrastructure project more or less successful when it is delivered by a public-private partnership? Providing thorough empirical analysis and following a methodological structure which aids reader understanding, chapters are divided into useful geographical sections including: the Anglophone world, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. This Handbook arrives at an important juncture, given the major infrastructure projects that will be necessary to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Authoritative and invaluable, the Handbook is vital for researchers focusing on infrastructure, strategy and project management. Practitioners will also benefit from the case studies featured in this book.

This guide is designed for systems researchers – emerging and seasoned – searching for holistic approaches of inquiry into complexity, which the Systems Sciences provide. The authors share insight into the foundations of research that are not only systematic in terms of rigor, but systemic in perspective, analysis, design, development, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. This guide also explores researcher competencies necessary to conduct sound systems research. Researchers using this guide will gain understanding of what distinguishes systems research from other types of research and why it is important in research today.