Conceptualising participatory action research- three different practices.” Electronic journal of business research methods, Vol. 2, n o 2

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the concept of action research. With inspiration from work performed by Checkland and McKay & Marshall the conceptualisation we are suggesting is illustrated in a model consisting of three different practices. Action research means that a research practice and a business practice are interacting. This interaction constitutes a third practice, which is at the same time a business change practice and an intervening empirical research practice. In the paper, we show how the three practices are interlinked to each other. The analysis is based on a work practice theory (ToP)