Journal Articles

Only to connect: Systems psychodynamics and communicative space

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This article provides an example of the contribution a systems psychodynamic approach can make to action research. Drawing from a case study of a complex inter-organizational project, the authors argue that the concept of ‘communicative requires consideration of affectivity, and the holding of an emotional space for people to connect symbiotically with each The case material illustrates how system pressures were having the opposite effect on stakeholders – shrinking their involvement, displacing feelings into silent resentment and ‘closing down’ communication so that interpersonal relations were shallow. The article shows how the heedful use of systems psychodynamic theory can help the action researcher create an emotional disposition which itself then supports the emergence of communicative space. The mutuality generated using this approach becomes the medium through which the parties can explore system they are seeking to understand and, in so doing, the human links on which system functionality depends.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Action Research

Call Number

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Publisher

Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publication., 2009

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

1476-7503

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 7, No. 3, September 2009.pp. 291-312

Subject(s)

Only to connect: Systems psychodynamics

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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