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Expert and novice facilitated modelling: A case of a Viable System Model workshop in a local food network

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  • Elena Tavella

    (University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Thanos Papadopoulos

    (University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK)

Abstract

This paper provides an empirical study based on action research in which expert and novice facilitators in facilitated modelling workshops are compared. There is limited empirical research analysing the differences between expert and novice facilitators. Aiming to address this gap we study the behaviour of one expert and two novice facilitators during a Viable System Model workshop. The findings suggest common facilitation patterns in the behaviour of experts and novices. This contrasts literature claiming that experts and novices behave and use their available knowledge differently, and empirically supports the claim that facilitation skills can be taught to participants to enable them to self-facilitate workshops. Differences were also found, which led to the introduction of a new dimension—‘internal versus external’ facilitation. The implications of our findings for effective training and facilitation strategies in contexts in which external, expert facilitation is not always possible are also discussed, and limitations of this study are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Tavella & Thanos Papadopoulos, 2015. "Expert and novice facilitated modelling: A case of a Viable System Model workshop in a local food network," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 66(2), pages 247-264, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:66:y:2015:i:2:p:247-264
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Smith, Chris M. & Shaw, Duncan, 2019. "The characteristics of problem structuring methods: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(2), pages 403-416.
    2. Lowe, David & Espinosa, Angela & Yearworth, Mike, 2020. "Constitutive rules for guiding the use of the viable system model: Reflections on practice," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(3), pages 1014-1035.
    3. Franco, L. Alberto & Hämäläinen, Raimo P., 2016. "Behavioural operational research: Returning to the roots of the OR profession," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(3), pages 791-795.
    4. David Lowe & Louise Martingale & Mike Yearworth, 2016. "Guiding interventions in a multi-organisational context: combining the Viable System Model and Hierarchical Process Modelling for use as a Problem Structuring Method," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 67(12), pages 1481-1495, December.
    5. Francesca Iandolo & Pietro Vito & Francesca Loia & Irene Fulco & Mario Calabrese, 2021. "Drilling down the viable system theories in business, management and accounting: A bibliometric review," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 738-755, November.
    6. Julio César Puche-Regaliza & Alfredo Jiménez & Pablo Arranz-Val, 2020. "Diagnosis of Software Projects Based on the Viable System Model," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 215-236, April.
    7. Franco, L. Alberto & Hämäläinen, Raimo P. & Rouwette, Etiënne A.J.A. & Leppänen, Ilkka, 2021. "Taking stock of behavioural OR: A review of behavioural studies with an intervention focus," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 293(2), pages 401-418.
    8. L. Alberto Franco & Mie Femø Nielsen, 2018. "Examining Group Facilitation In Situ: The Use of Formulations in Facilitation Practice," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 735-756, October.
    9. Ormerod, Richard & Yearworth, Mike & White, Leroy, 2023. "Understanding participant actions in OR interventions using practice theories: A research agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(2), pages 810-827.

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