Collaborative inquiry is defined in terms of conversations between those who are insiders to the organization and those who are outsiders with the aim of both addressing relevant organizational issues and creating practical knowledge about organizational change. The partnership and a dialogical process is fueled by creating generative images and developing shared understanding. It takes place in the present tense and the role of the researcher is that of an engaged scholar enacting humble inquiry. This chapter presents a conceptual framework of collaborative inquiry for organization development and change. The background and core constructs of organization learning, organization development within a social science philosophy, collaborative inquiry, the essence of partnership, Mode 1 and Mode 2 knowledge production and meaning creation in their historical OD context and how they have developed, a philosophy of practical knowing and inquiring in the present tense are introduced.
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Front Matter
