Changing professional service archetypes in a law firm using Process Orientated Holonic (PrOH) Modelling

Ben Clegg; Krishna Balthu; Glyn Morris

doi:10.1080/14778238.2019.1571387

Changing professional service archetypes in a law firm using Process Orientated Holonic (PrOH) Modelling

Ben Clegg^*, Krishna Balthu, Glyn Morris

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This paper gives an in depth action research case study on how organisational change has been implemented in a medium-sized law firm in the UK (Higgs & Sons). The Canonical Action Research process was followed and a specific novel type of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) known as Process Oriented Holonic (PrOH) Modelling was used to define systemic problems, support knowledge-based decision-making and implement change. This study found that as a result of increased competition, Higgs & Sons successfully transformed some of its services from a “professional partnership (P²)” delivery style towards having greater “managed professional business” (MPB) characteristics, but found that not all of its services were suited to this change, and that different types of service styles were necessary on a service by service basis. Practical changes and implications are discussed in the context of Pinnington and Morris’ (2003) “professional partnership” (P²) and “managed professional business” (MPB) archetype template.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	38-52
Number of pages	15
Journal	Knowledge Management Research and Practice
Volume	18
Issue number	1
Early online date	4 Feb 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2019.1571387
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2020

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Knowledge Management Research & Practice on 4 Feb 2019, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14778238.2019.1571387

Keywords

action research
innovation
knowledge management
Professional services
small-to-medium sized enterprise (SME)
soft systems methodology

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10.1080/14778238.2019.1571387

Changing professional service archetypes
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Knowledge Management Research & Practice on 4 Feb 2019, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14778238.2019.1571387
Accepted author manuscript, 1.26 MB

Cite this

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Changing professional service archetypes in a law firm using Process Orientated Holonic (PrOH) Modelling

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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