Insider Action Research for Human Resource Development

Abstract

While action research is well-established in the field of organization development and change (ODC) its profile in human resource development (HRD) is less visible. Even less visible within HRD are accounts of how action research is conducted within organizations by their managers and other members who adopt it as an approach to managing change and other organizational challenges. In order to share thoughts and ideas on doing action research we draw from academic knowledge as well as experience integrating theory and practice, from being engaged in designing, delivering, assessing and improving group and individual activities to support ongoing learning and development. In this guest editorial, we introduce insider action research and its potential for HRD research and offer views from professional and personal experience, analysis, thoughts and speculations about how action research is important and useful for HRD and how those who use and benefit from doing it may be able to be encouraged to more widely share case studies and to write up insider action research projects for publication.