The Qualimetrics Approach: Observing the Complex ObjectHenri Savall, Veronique Zardet The impetus for this work emerged from Savall’s belief that there is a doubleloop interaction between social and economic factors in organizations, between behaviors and structures, and between the quality of life in organizations and their economic performance. When managers underestimate this dynamic interaction, the resulting tension ultimately manifests in lowered performance and increased costs, what he refers to as the “hidden costs” of organizational life. Only by delving into the depths of these organizational dynamics can we hope to fully understand – and create the basis for improving – organizational performance. The Qualimetrics Approach presents a different and challenging way of thinking about analyzing organizations, one that draws together quantitative information, financial analysis and qualitative insights into organizational dynamics. As Savall and Zardet argue, to gain a true understanding of what is happening in organizations, intervener-researchers must focus on all three perspectives, as ignoring any one of them will lead to incomplete understandings. Their approach underscores the importance of using qualitative data to validate quantitative depictions (“the numbers”) of organizational performance in understanding the construction of financial statements. The strength of Savall and Zardet’s approach is that it pushes us to go deeper, to fully understand the narratives underlying the numbers and the social construction of our financial assessments. |
Contents
xxv | |
xxvii | |
xxxix | |
Part I | 1 |
Principal Methods Utilized in Management Science Research | 5 |
Critical Analysis of Research Methodologies | 63 |
Part II | 107 |
The Interactive Approach of the ResearcherStrategist for Making Progress in Research Work | 109 |
A Practical Guide for Thesis Construction and the Doctoral Students Piloting Indicators | 217 |
INDEPTH AND UPCLOSE SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION OF THE RESEARCH OBJECT | 265 |
Processing Qualitative Information | 285 |
Research in the Field | 303 |
General Conclusion | 345 |
References | 347 |
About the Authors | 385 |
Back Cover | 388 |
Other editions - View all
The Qualimetrics Approach: Observing the Complex Object Henri Savall,Véronique Zardet No preview available - 2011 |
The Qualimetrics Approach: Observing the Complex Object Henri Savall,Véronique Zardet No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
academic action analysis bibliographic body of hypotheses central hypothesis Chapter Ciencias de Gestión collected company actors Complex Object concepts constitutes construction context contribution David Boje deontology descriptive detailed outline discourse doctoral student Doctoral thesis economic enterprise epistemological example experimental explicative expressed external validity field fieldnote quotes Figure formulated France François Perroux guiding thread Henri Fayol inductive inductive reasoning interaction intervention intervention-research interviews ISEOR key ideas key-ideas key-words knowledge Lyon management research management science research methodology mirror-effect observation one’s organization organizational outline with key paradigm Paris permits Péron PhD student practices prescriptive hypotheses problematics production Qualimetrics Approach qualitative research quantitative methods recherche relationship representations research advisor research methods research object research process researcher’s Revue Sciences rigor role Savall Sciences de gestion scientific intent social sciences socio-economic statistical strategic strategic management structure studied object subthemes Textbox themes theory tion Transdisciplinarity University of Lyon validation variables Zardet