Systems Thinking and Action Research for Innovation

Theory and Practice of the Process Oriented Holonic (PrOH) Modelling Methodology

Ben Clegg author Krishna Chaitanya Balthu author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Publishing:12th May '26

£41.99

This title is due to be published on 12th May, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Systems Thinking and Action Research for Innovation cover

Systems Thinking and Action Research for Innovation introduces the Process Oriented Holonic (PrOH) Modelling Methodology, a novel systems thinking methodology, combining academic rigour with practical guidance for conducting action research in organisations. It equips readers to conduct high-impact research and drive systemic transformation.

Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of systems thinking and action research, with a focus on the innovative PrOH Modelling Methodology. This book provides detailed practical rules and guidelines, enabling readers to apply the PrOH Modelling Methodology effectively in action research projects. Engaging exercises and mini tests throughout the text help reinforce learning, while visually striking diagrams illustrate key concepts in an accessible manner. Real-world case studies from industries such as manufacturing, supply chain, legal and public services demonstrate the practical application of PrOH Models, offering insights into systemic success factors, process improvements and innovations. Reflections on theory link practice to foundational principles, ensuring readers develop theoretical, methodological and practical expertise. Additionally, the book explores advanced topics such as building holarchies, gamification and the future of holonic thinking, making it a definitive systems thinking and action research guide for academics and practitioners alike.

This book is intended for postgraduate students, doctoral researchers and management consultants specialising in organisational change, technical innovation and process improvement.

Additional resources are available from an author-maintained companion website dedicated to PrOH Modelling: https://prohmodel.org/

It's clear to me that pursuing action research is the best way to advance systems thinking and practice. This book is a significant step forward in that regard bringing together as it does systems theory, methodological practice and case studies.

Professor Mike C Jackson OBE, Emeritus Professor, University of Hull

Research with impact is challenging to do, this book shows a way to do this. It gives a detailed methodology and techniques, show how to abduct to theory and illustrates its narrative with beautiful diagrams from real cases.

Professor Janet Godsell, Professor, Loughborough University

This book is highly recommended for its holistic and structured approach to understanding and improving organisational processes as dynamic, interrelated systems that drive sustainable performance. Although systems thinking underpins change it is difficult to practice; this book achieves this with gravitas.

Professor Umit Bititci, Emeritus Professor, Herriot Watt University

Action research is about accessing meaning through rigorous attention to how issues are constructed, how actions are planned, implemented, and evaluated, and how learning captured informs practical and theoretical knowledge; it can benefit from the scholarly application of a well-defined methodology as presented in this book.

Professor Paul Coughlan, Professor, Trinity College Dublin

ISBN: 9781032650449

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

284 pages