Complex socio-organisational phenomena and ill-defined problem spaces: a multi-method approach to the rescue
本文报告了一种多方法（混合方法）研究复杂社会组织现象，在问题定义不清时提供决策支持，通过诊断和干预两阶段，结合调查、建模和研讨会，帮助军事总部某分支改善流程。
This paper reports on a multi-method (also referred to as mixed method) approach for studying complex socio-organisational phenomena where the problem space is ill-defined, and its utility in providing meaningful decision support to a branch within a military headquarters. The study comprised two phases: diagnostic (I) and intervention (II). The Phase I instruments were an organisation and team effectiveness survey and workforce modelling. Phase II involved a series of workshops situated in sensemaking and complexity theory. Combining the modelling results with qualitative and quantitative data provided by the survey resulted in: capitalisation on the strengths of individual methods while compensating for their weaknesses, a better delineation of issues and understanding of the branch processes, and provision of a solid foundation for design of the intervention workshops. This research design integrates multiple organisational measures to develop instruments suitable for application in other settings where problem definitions are nebulous.