Researching Learning in Action: Action Learning Research for Creativity and Innovation Management

Abstract

Creativity and innovation management involve action and learning: action to create and innovate and learning to understand so as to replicate and develop. This article explores action learning research as a methodology of relevance to creativity and innovation management scholars when inquiring and intervening with academic and practitioner co-researchers in dynamic contexts, enabling knowledge production in real time. It positions action learning research in relation to action learning and action-oriented inquiry and presents the philosophical foundations of action learning research: system alpha (identifying and characterising a problem in its setting); system beta (inquiring rigorously into the cycles of action, questioning and reflection undertaken to address the problem); and system gamma (articulating the resultant practical outcomes and actionable knowledge). The article concludes with actionable implementation guidelines for researchers and implications for research practice and researcher education.