Action Research for community business development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the idea of Action Research as a way of making academic research more relevant for social economic change. Design/methodology/approach – This paper seeks a middle path by presenting a method for Action Research that is both scientific and that results in practical social-economic impact on a local society. The method is divided into 11 systematic steps. Findings – The author has found that the method results in job creation and place-based economic development. Originality/value – Usually social activists and academic professionals do not mix. This approach combines both theory and practice, which is unusual in university circles.