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Towards a new framework for evaluating systemic problem structuring methods

“…In making criticisms of attempts to take a controlled or quasiexperime ntal approach, some authors have advanced alternatives. Kelly and Van Vlaender en (1995), McKay (1998), Jenkins andBennett (1999), De Vreede andDickson (2000), Gopal and Prasad (2000) and Allsop and Taket (2003) advocate 'emergent' methodologies: i.e., ones where criteria for evaluation emerge through engagem ent with stakeholder s. Eden (1995) makes the important point that most interventi ons are complex, and researchers can rarely anticipate everythin g that will become important, so the evaluation approach needs to be able to respond to the unexpected.…”

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“…The steps carried out in this action research are: Plan, Act, Observe and Reflect (De Vreede and Dickson 2000;Dickens and Watkins 1999;Lewin, 1958). The steps can be applied at different levels.…”

“…Observe concerns the data collected to evaluate (phases of) the intervention. Reflection serves to generate and integrate information from the observe phase and convert it into knowledge that can serve as input for a new (round of) meeting(-s) or , as in this case, the compilation of a report to communicate the findings and results of the intervention (De Vreede and Dickson 2000).…”

“…Group Support Systems have been used in organizations, not networks, to address these politically charged problems and have brought about gains in organizational decision making and strategic planning processes (see Dennis et al 1997;Nunamaker et al 1990Nunamaker et al , 1997. Further studies have also used Group Support Systems together with simulation and model building techniques to facilitate change in organizations facing complex problems (Dean et al 1994(Dean et al , 1995de Vreede 1998;de Vreede and Dickson 2000;Vogel et al 1993). Some of the results of these studies suggest that the role of the facilitator is pivotal to the success of the electronically supported group negotiation processes.…”