A case is presented for the active intervention of ethnographers in workplace settings they study. The author's reasons for this position are discussed, as is its links to various social theories; and some of the flaws in the position are addressed.

ABSTRACT: Research has shown that organisations are moving towards agile manufacturing in response to a rapidly changing business environment. Agility is the competence of an organisation to respond to unpredictable business forces. This requires that an organisation develop dynamic management systems that are able to support continuous change. This paper examines systems thinking and proposes a holistic approach to developing an integrated management system. A case study of a manufacturing company is reviewed showing the use of a “roadmap for change ” in the development of an integrated management system that supports the concepts of agile manufacturing.

In appreciation to the context given with this course in systems thinking and complexity and my growing interest on the management of technology I departed on a personal quest

A critical research agenda for organisational performance measurement

Acknowledgement: Thanks are due to Richard Laughlin and fellow members of the Management Managers are continually under pressure to measure the performance of their organisation, but there is little empirical evidence about the impact of measurement on performance. Furthermore, many measurement tools and techniques lack clear theoretical foundations. This paper proposes investigations into neglected aspects of organisational performance measurement, reflecting the concern of managers and illustrating the potential impact of theoretical developments on practice. Issues about theory, epistemology and methodologies that accompany such a research agenda, are also raised. 1. Preamble This paper may be a bit unusual for a formal conference discussion as it concentrates neither on presenting empirical results, nor on developing theoretical explanations, but simply seeks to make the case for more of both of these. As such, it is ‘work in the early stages of progress ’ on which feedback on all aspects of the paper will be welcome. And as befits a primarily qualitative and subjectivist-inclined researcher, I felt it important to put the