Action research and system dynamics: can they benefit from each other?

Messy and ill-defined problems are at the center of studies both in action research and system dynamics. However, while action research is seen as a research method far out on the qualitative side of the spectrum, system dynamics seems to be equally far out on the quantitative side. Yet, both research methodologies employ iterative and spiral designs, which resemble each other in various phases. As in action research, practitioners have collaborated with researchers in system dynamics model building in pursuit of improving an organizational situation. The paper discusses the discrepancies, intersections, and complementarities of the two methods, and proposes the integration of system dynamics group model building into participatory action research.