Inclui bibliografia e índice.

Preface -- PART I: FUNDAMENTALS -- Scope and nature of this handbook -- student projects -- Problem solving projects -- designs and designing -- PART II: THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT -- Intake and orientation -- Theory-informed diagnosis of business problems -- Solution design -- Change plan design and the actual change process -- Evaluation, learning and termination -- PART III: METHODS -- Qualitative research methods -- Searching and using scholarly literature -- Quality criteria for research -- PART IV: CASE MATERIAL -- Cases -- References -- Author index -- Index. PART I - FUNDAMENTALS; 1 - SCOPE AND NATURE OF THIS HANDBOOK; 1.1 - Objectives and target audiences; 1.2 - Design-oriented and theory-informed problem solving in organizations; 1.3 - How to use this handbook 2 - STUDENT PROJECTS; 2.1 - Introduction; 2.2 - Two basic process structures; 2.3 - Three knowledge-generating research processes; 2.4 - Problems caused by mixing diferente process structures; 2.5 - Concluding remarks; 3 - PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECTS; 3.1 - Introduction; 3.2 - Rational problem solving; 3.3 - Problem solving strategies; 3.4 - Theory-informed field problem solving; 3.5 - The application domain of design-oriented and theory-informed problem solving; 3.6 - The nature of field problem solving projects; 3.7 - The basic set-up of a field problem solving projects; 3.8 - Characteristics of good field problem solving projects 4 - DESIGNS AND DESIGNING; 4.1 - Introduction; 4.2 - Designing material entities; 4.3 - Social system design; 4.4 - Paradigmatic starting points in social system design; 5 - PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECTS TO DEVELOP GENERIC THEORY; 5.1 - Introduction; 5.2 - Research paradigms; 5.3 - Developing generic theory on the basis of problem solving projects; PART II - THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT; 6 - INTAKE AND ORIENTATION; 6.1 - Introduction; 6.2 - Intake; 6.3 - Orientation; 6.4 - Problem contexto; 6.5 - Problem definition; 6.6 - Assignment and deliverables; 6.7 - Project approach; 6.8 - Project costs and organization; 6.9 - Problem solving projects in different formats; 6.10 - Example; 7 - THEORY-INFORMED DIAGNOSIS OF BUSINESS PROBLEMS; 7.1 - Introduction; 7.2 - Empirical exploration and validation of the business problem and its causes; 7.3 - Theoretical analysis; 7.4 - Process-oriented analysis; 7.5 - The diagnostic story; 7.6 - Alternative approaches: quick sean; 7.7 - Concluding remarks; 8 - SOLUTION DESIGN; 8.1 - Introduction; 8.2 - The deliverables of the field problem solving Project; 8.3 - The design process; 8.4 - Solution design; 8.5- Solution justification 8.6 - Solution design: the IIS case; 9 - CHANGE PLAN DESIGN AND THE ACTUAK CHANGE PROCESS 9.1 - The timing of change plan design; 9.2 - Change plan design; 9.3 - The change process; 9.4 - Change plan design: the IIS case; 9.5 - Change plan design: the importance of developing organizational support; 10 - EVALUATION, LEARNING AND TERMINATION; 10.1 - Introduction; 10.2 - Project-oriented evaluation; 10.3 - Learning for the future; 10.4 - Scientific reflection; 10.5 - Personal and professional development; 10.6 - Project termination and reporting; PART II - METHODS; 11 - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS; 11.1 - Qualitative versus quantitative; 11.2 - Unit of analysis; 11.3 - Sampling and case selection; 11.4 - Qualitative data collection methods; 11.5 - Qualitative methods of analysis; 11.6 - Selecting a method; 12 - SEARCHING AND USING SCHOLARLY LITERATURE; 12.1 - Introduction; 12.2 - Types of publication; 12.3 - Focusing a literature review;
12.4 - Searching the literature; 12.5 - Integrating ideas and findings; 13 - QUALITY CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH; 13.1 - Introduction; 13.2 - Controllability; 13.3 - Reliability; 13.4 - Validity; 13.5 - Recognition of results; 13.6 - Concluding remarks; PART IV - CASE MATERIAL; 14 - CASES; 14.1 - Introduction; 14.2 - the assignment: make a Project proposal; 14.3 - Four cases.

"This concise introduction to the methodology of problem solving in organizations is an indispensable guide to the design and execution of practical business improvement projects in real organizational settings. The methodology is design-oriented and theory-informed. It encourages students to use the theory gained in their disciplinary courses by showing them how to do so in a fuzzy, ambiguous and politically charged, real-life organizational context. The book provides an in-depth discussion of the various aspects and steps of the process of business and organizational problem-solving. Rather than presenting the methodology as a recipe to be followed, the authors demonstrate how to adapt the approach to specific situations and to be flexible in scheduling the work at the various steps in the process. It will be indispensable to MBA and other students who venture outside the university walls to do real-life fieldwork"--