Systems Thinking and Action Research for Innovation

Systems Thinking and Action Research for Innovation introduces the Process Oriented Holonic (PrOH) Modelling Methodology, a novel systems thinking methodology, combining academic rigour with practical guidance for conducting action research in organisations. It equips readers to conduct high-impact research and drive systemic transformation.

Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of systems thinking and action research, with a focus on the innovative PrOH Modelling Methodology. This book provides detailed practical rules and guidelines, enabling readers to apply the PrOH Modelling Methodology effectively in action research projects. Engaging exercises and mini tests throughout the text help reinforce learning, while visually striking diagrams illustrate key concepts in an accessible manner. Real-world case studies from industries such as manufacturing, supply chain, legal and public services demonstrate the practical application of PrOH Models, offering insights into systemic success factors, process improvements and innovations. Reflections on theory link practice to foundational principles, ensuring readers develop theoretical, methodological and practical expertise. Additionally, the book explores advanced topics such as building holarchies, gamification and the future of holonic thinking, making it a definitive systems thinking and action research guide for academics and practitioners alike.

This book is intended for postgraduate students, doctoral researchers and management consultants specialising in organisational change, technical innovation and process improvement.

Additional resources are available from an author-maintained companion website dedicated to PrOH Modelling: https://prohmodel.org/

Ben Clegg is Professor of Operations Management and Systems Thinking and Founder of the PrOH Modelling Methodology. His research has received millions of pounds of funding from industry and government that has recently focused on the digitalisation of small-to-medium sized organisations. He has previously worked with larger international companies and their supply chains to improve lean six sigma, concurrent engineering, enterprise management, service delivery and technical innovation. He specialises in MBA teaching and supervising researchers. He has 100+ publications including articles in top journals; he is the co-author of a leading textbook on Operations Management. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and a European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) committee member. He is Advance-HE Fellow, Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). He has been Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Head of Department at Aston Business School. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Systems journal.

Krishna Chaitanya Balthu is Lecturer in Operations Management and Systems Thinking. His work focuses on applying systems thinking to design and implement change in organisations. He spent over a decade as a practitioner, leading process improvement and change initiatives across knowledge-intensive firms. Drawing on this industrial experience, Krishna has led industry-academia collaboration projects that bridge research and practice. He predominantly works on funded projects enabling organisations to adopt digital technologies, circular economy principles and systemic transformation using participatory approaches such as the PrOH Modelling Methodology. He has applied PrOH Modelling across diverse industrial contexts, enhancing and extending its application to deliver measurable impact. This body of work has featured in leading management journals and practitioner magazines. He is also actively involved in transnational education and capacity-building initiatives with India and Kenya, building collaborative learning and research partnerships. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Systems Thinking, Management Consultancy and Business Model Innovation.