An inquiry based intervention methodology for business management problems

• Main Author: Mwaluko, George S
• Other Authors: Ryan, Tom B
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9711

Includes bibliographical references. === In this thesis different reasons for the failure of intervention efforts are explored. These reasons, which are at the level of theory, methodology and method, show that in the field of management intervention, there is a problem arising from conflicting opinions. For instance, at the level of theory, though writers agree that intervention efforts fail because they are based on theories that are inadequate, they differ on what an adequate theory is. Reasons given at the level of methodology and method also differ. For example, some attribute the failure of intervention efforts to their inability to deal with organizational processes, or organizational design. Yet, others blame the inability of intervention efforts to deal with organizational culture, or organizational politics, for their failure. A furthermore problem stems from the existence of different intervention methodologies. This presents organizations with the dilemma of not knowing which of these methodologies should be adopted. The main objective of this thesis therefore, is to conduct further research aimed at addressing this problem.