Flexible Systems Methodology: A Mixed-method/Multi-method Research Approach

Systems methodology has been widely applied for problem solving by many researchers in past. Rather than fitting the problem to the systems modelling method selected by taking assumptions, it would be far more justified to fit a mix of the methods to suit the nature of the problem. In management research, a strong criticism has emerged on mono-method-based research as this is not adequately cross-validated. The flexible systems methodology is in a way mixed-method and multi-method research framework. According to it, first the characteristics of the research problem to be investigated should be examined on multiple dimensions. Subsequently, the research methods should be identified to suit the characteristics of the problem. The framework then suggests a couple of integrating mechanisms for systems modelling; the same can be applied to multi-method management research as well. This short note is an attempt to relate flexible systems methodology with mixed-method and multi-method approaches adopted in management research.