Multimethodology: The Theory and Practice of Combining Management Science Methodologies - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471974900 ISBN 13: 9780471974901

Publisher: Wiley, 1997

Synopsis

This book proposes that using two or more management science methodologies in the same intervention is likely to produce a richer picture for "seeing and understanding the complex web of relationships and interconnectivities" which is likely to lead to better decision taking by managers and workers. This is what is meant by "multimethodology." In conclusion, the book explores several theoretical and philosophical perspectives on combining methodologies from different paradigms, as well as presenting many actual examples from practice.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Business ideas such as continuous improvement, innovative use of IT, competitive advantage, supply chain management, bench-marking and team-based working are forcing managers and workers to be more reflective about the business processes that they are engaged in. This reflection includes the need for enhanced communications between organizational members - sharing mental models that are inherently more complex than two-by-two matrices. However, we all have different mental models of the world around us. This adds to the 'mess' that organizations have to manage. No method or methodology in any discipline is able to offer a complete view of the complexities facing organizations. Each may offer a snapshot that provides insights that are useful for reflection and action. This book proposes that using two or more management science methodologies in the same intervention is likely to produce a richer picture for 'seeing and understanding the complex web of relationships and interconnectivities' which is likely to lead to better decision taking by managers and workers. This is what is meant by 'multimethodology'. In conclusion, the book explores several theoretical and philosophical perspectives on combining methodologies from different paradigms, as well as presenting many actual examples from practice. It will appeal to managers, consultants and researchers - anyone who cares to think about increasing efficiency and effectiveness in organizations.

About the Author

John Mingers is Professor of OR and Information Systems and Director of Research at Kent Business School, University of Kent, UK. His research interests include the use of systems methodologies in problem situations, particularly the mixing of different methodologies within an intervention; the development of critical realism as a philosophy for information systems; the development of theory concerning the nature of information and meaning; and autopoiesis and its applications. He has published several books, including Self-Producing Systems: Implications and Applications of Autopoiesis and Information Systems: An Emerging Discipline?.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0471974900
• ISBN 13: 9780471974901
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 442
• Editor: Mingers John, Gill Anthony