Art and wealth: philosophicla dialgue, performance version

The philosophical dialogue brings together Adam Smith, Joseph Beuys and Paul Fentener Van Vlissingen. In this publication for the Advanced Programme in Reflective Practice at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology, the performance version of the text is followed by reflections from participating reflective practitioners. This forms part of the Dialogue Seminar Method, intended to facilitate access to tacit knowledge

Health and safety: the balance of work and leisure in industry

Balance has been a powerful and beguiling myth, used to sustain the economy and society during the industrial period. Now, as the UK enters a post-industrial phase, it is time to challenge such easy assumptions. Less work overall may not mean more leisure for all

Decoupling research from military applications

This chapter outlined problems of universal technologies, such as computer hardware and software, when they are applied to military applications. In particular, it considered the case of the UK Alvey Programme in Advanced Information Technology, and the American Strategic Defense Initiative

Historical simulation

This chapter introduces the use of the computer to assist in historical simulations in the classroom of a comprehensive school in Essex

Democratic Dialogue and Development: An Intellectual Obituary of Björn Gustavsen

Björn Gustavsen, with an original professional background as a lawyer and judge in his native Norway, had a formative role in organisational development processes in Norway, Sweden, Scandinavia and the European Union over four decades. Following in the tradition of Norwegian working life research by Trist and Thorsrud, he provided the conceptual framework and practical case studies which have driven major national and international programmes. He learned from different experience of organisational change in, for example, the USA and Japan, but he identified a distinctive way forward for the European Union, where he acted as a senior adviser. In contrast to conventional Taylorist top-down management and reliance on expert consultants, his approach was bottom up and concept driven, with a focus on empowering workers. With a commitment to long-term sustainable processes, he emphasised the importance of capacity building and succession planning, highlighting development organisations. His approach to partnership and coalition building enabled collaboration across sectors, in the cause of creating collaborative advantage. He had a distinctive fluent academic writing style, but spent most of his time engaged in the design and practice of development, and editing the work of younger colleagues. He saw the role of academic journals and edited books in the development process, so encouraged new publications, but without seeking to dominate. He took ideas of Action Research and case studies, and applied them to national enterprise development programmes, working with the labour market parties. This resulted in a distinctive research and development culture

Quality Beyond Borders

Review of "Quality Beyond Borders: Dantotsu, or How to Achieve Best in Business", by David Hutchins, London, Routledge 2019.  ISBN 978 1 138 56510 4

Editorial: The enlightened workplace

Editorial introduction to special issue of AI & Society: Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Communication. Editor is also co-author of some of the articles

Ludwig Wittgenstein and his Followers

The paper discusses the work of Wittgenstein, and traces the influences on Scandinavian followers, and in particular Toulmin, Goranzon and Gustavsen. It provides a fresh context for Workplace Innovation and Action Research