Development of a Kaizen series model: abducting a blend of participatory formats to enhance the development of process improvement practices

The paper utilises a form of Action Research, known as the ‘Constructive Research Approach’ (CRA), to explore how project teams could engender development process improvement (PI) routines in higher education context. methodology Mediated Discourse Analysis (MDA), an ethnographic approach researching practice, is used trace PI over time. findings showed that owners and actors who were engaged because ‘power’ initial pre-project Kaizen event, then became more passive participants ensuing traditional project, with reduced performances routines. main contrition stemming from work was abduction hybrid model participatory engagement, ‘Kaizen series’. This extended series events affords two key routines, ‘the working map’ analysis routine, by increasing opportunity for perform these both within between events, balancing facilitation empowerment In addition, not dependent on any individual methodology. resulting offers practitioners blend best aspects different modes teams.