The quest for competence in systemic research and practice

Abstract How can we develop competence in research and professional practice? This essay tries to answer the question from the perspective of critical systems thinking, that is, through an approach that aims to promote reflective research and practice. The paper originated in discussions on the nature of research, with research students and professionals from different fields—among these the domains of business and public management, operational research and management science, social planning and evaluation research, public health, poverty research, social work and social policy, environmental research, city and regional planning, adult education and civic studies. With its publication the author hopes to encourage a wide readership of research students, researchers and professionals in these and other fields of practice who wish to clarify their personal notion of competence. The essay addresses them in a direct and personal way. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.