The New Zealand dairy industry is viewed, and views itself, as having a progressive approach
to scientific research and the acquisition and adoption of technology. It is also generally
accepted that, in order to remain competitive in international markets, technological
improvement is a continual necessity. In each component of the industry/system - producer
(farms), processor (co-operatives, manufacturing), researchers, extensionists/consultants and
marketers (NZ Dairy Board, statutory authority) - practitioners deal regularly with issues
requiring solution. However each has a different W (world view) and successful outcomes for
one are not necessarily so for the others.
For producer practitioners the management issue may be one of seeking solutions to
problematic situations by adapting known technology to their own production circumstances.
The dairy industry model for this process is the research-consultant/extensionist-producer
system. The industry view is that this process has been effective in “transferring” only some
of the technologies which are viewed as important for the survival and development of the
industry.
The paper builds on a project in which a group of dairy-farming women worked with two
researchers on a particular technical problem. Using action research (AR) as a framework the
group devised a problem-solving process that was structured around three elements;
consultancy advice, research findings and self-directed learning in a structurally coupled
action researching system. The paper describes the model that was developed, where AR
provided a framework for client-centred research and consulting. The authors suggest that this
model may contribute to the growth of the dairy system in a way that builds on the respective
strengths of consultants, researchers and producers
