Action Research for community business development

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the idea of Action Research as a way of making academic research more relevant for social economic change.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper seeks a middle path by presenting a method for Action Research that is both scientific and that results in practical social-economic impact on a local society. The method is divided into 11 systematic steps.

Findings

The author has found that the method results in job creation and place-based economic development.

Originality/value

Usually social activists and academic professionals do not mix. This approach combines both theory and practice, which is unusual in university circles.

Citation

MacLeod, G. (2014), "Action Research for community business development", Humanomics, Vol. 30 No. 1, pp. 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/H-11-2013-0072