A conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review

A conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review in managerial intellectual learning (MIL): an elaboration

Joseph Kim-keung Ho

Independent Trainer

Hong Kong, China

Abstract: Though a very recently launched research topic in 2016, there are by now quite a number of academic papers published on diagramming-based literature review in the field of managerial intellectual learning. This paper consolidates the ideas and findings from these papers, and proposes a conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review. As such, it presents an overall view on the updated intellectual status of diagramming-based literature review study by the writer, including clarification of the concepts involved.

Keywords: a conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review, diagramming-based literature review, managerial intellectual learning (MIL), the Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) Research, the mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR), thematic analysis

Please cite the paper as: Ho, J.K.K. 2016. “A conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog September 9 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/09/a-conceptual-framework-on-diagramming.html).

1.      Introduction

Using diagrams in literature review has been explained in the Research Methods literature and practiced for a long time. The writer’s interest in this approach originated from his research works on Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) Research (see The Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research Facebook page), notably the MPSB topic of managerial intellectual learning (MIL). Especially, in 2016, a number of academic papers has been published specifically on diagramming-based literature review, leading to the conceptual development and refinement on the diagramming-based literature review approach. This paper consolidates the ideas and findings from these academic papers. In particular, it comes up with a conceptual framework on diagramming-based literature review and a table to classify types of diagramming-based practices. By doing so, the paper offers an updated overview on the intellectual status of diagramming-based literature review in the field of managerial intellectual learning (MIL).

2.      From construction of Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) frameworks to diagramming-based literature review

At the outset of the launching of the Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) Research by the writer in 1992, the idea of using diagrams to reveal knowledge structures on a chosen academic topic based on literature review effort was well recognized. However, the main form of diagram focused on was the multi-perspective, systems-based (MPSB) frameworks[1] in the 1990s. The process of constructing MPSB framework is known as the MPSB knowledge compilation. Since the rejuvenation of the MPSB Research in 2013, an expanded range of diagrams are considered as major ingredients of the MPSB cognitive filter for management (explicit)[2], which is captured in the following 2 formula (Ho, 2014a):

Formula 1: The MPSB cognitive filter for management (explicit) = the MPSB Frameworks + client-based systems diagrams + key MPSB concepts (as incorporated in the frameworks and diagrams)

Formula 2: Client-based systems diagrams include: (a) spray diagrams, (b) mind maps, (c) rich pictures, (d) systems maps, (e) influence diagrams, (f) multiple cause diagrams, and (g) sign diagrams.

Since 2013, another key MPSB concept, called MPSB managerial intellectual learning, or just managerial intellectual learning (MIL) for short, has been undergoing major theoretical development (re: Managerial intellectual learning Facebook page). From the MIL perspective, literature review for learning purpose should not be confined to the construction and employment of MPSB frameworks. Mind mapping, systems mapping and cognitive mapping are also powerful approaches for literature review purpose, thus supportive of MIL. With this intellectual recognition of diagramming using mind maps, systems maps and cognitive maps for literature review and MIL purposes, the research project of developing the diagramming-based literature review approach was launched this year. The next section describes the main results out of the academic works related to it.

3.      Main ideas based on the existing academic works on diagramming-based literature review

A review on the academic works on diagramming-based literature review indicates evolution of thinking on this topic. This is a natural process of its theoretical development. As it now stands, diagramming-based literature review involves two steps:

Step 1: A thematic analysis on the literature of a topic under review.

Step 2: Construction of diagrams based on the findings from step 1.

Adopting an evolutionary process perspective to comprehend the academic works on diagramming-based literature review, these works can be grouped into 3 categories as follows:

Category 1 (C1): Academic works that involve thematic analysis only.

Item 1.1.                   Ho(2016a): “A survey study on intrapreneurship perceptions in Hong Kong”;  

Item 1.2.                   Ho(2016b): “Utilizing adult learning literature to enrich the subject of managerial intellectual learning: a proposal”;

The experience of using thematic analysis for literature review is that it provides an efficient way to identify and synthesize the main points, e.g., viewpoints, observations and empirical findings, from the literature review. The thematic analysis findings can enrich study of other intellectual topics and inform related research methods application, e.g. questionnaire survey.  The thematic analysis, interpretive in nature, is easy to carry out..

Category 2 (C2): Academic works that involve thematic analysis and diagramming with mind map only.

Item 2.1.                   Ho(2016c): “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach to study customer relationship management (CRM): an application”;

Item 2.2.                   Ho(2016d): “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) on e-procurement with exploration on the academic interest and value involved”;

Item 2.3.                   Ho(2016e): “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) on business intelligence (BI) and business intelligence system (BIS)”;

Item 2.4.                   Ho(2016f): “A mind mapping-based literature review on strategic management accounting”;

Item 2.5.                   Ho(2016g): “A qualitative data analysis on e-tailing contents on the Internet with the Hong Kong/ mainland China context”;

Item 2.6.                   Ho(2016h): “A qualitative data analysis on the New Territories small housing policy (NTSHP) in Hong Kong with a mind map”;

Item 2.7.                   Ho(2016i): “A qualitative data analysis with mind mapping on the Hong Kong subdivided flats topic”;

The experience of using thematic analysis for literature review, followed by a complementary mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) leads to the formulation of the MMBLR approach. In this approach, step 1 is the thematic analysis and step 2 is the MMBLR. The MMBLR approach has been useful as an efficient, engaging and concept-exploratory way to conduct literature review. The resultant mind map constructed in step 2 helps in consolidating, memorizing and communicating literature review findings. If the reviewed materials are not academic and scholarly works, e.g., newspaper and blog articles, the review exercise is called a qualitative data analysis. Examples are items 2.5 (Ho, 2016g), 2.6 (Ho, 2016h) and 2.7 (Ho, 2016i).  Since the mind mapping-based qualitative data analysis applies the same steps and techniques as the MMBLR approach, it is informative for it to be subsumed under the MMBLR approach. Finally, the MMBLR approach is easy to employ and is essentially interpretive in nature. Researchers with different interest and orientation naturally heed different points raised in the academic literature.

Category 3 (C3): Academic works that involve thematic analysis and diagramming with diverse maps.

Item 3.1.                   Ho(2016): “A diagramming-based literature review on employer branding”;

Item 3.2.                   Ho(2016k): “A diagramming-based literature on social exclusion”;

Item 3.3.                   Ho(2016l): “A diagramming-based literature review on housing market”;

Item 3.4.                   Ho(2016m): “A literature review on employability with diagramming techniques”;  

Item 3.5.                   Ho(2016n): “A diagramming-based literature review on Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research”;

The experience of employing diverse maps in literature review is similar to that of category 2 (i.e., thematic analysis plus mind mapping only), except that the diverse maps employed offer a variety of angles to conceive the thematic analysis findings. In this case, mind mapping renders a tree-form knowledge structure on the topic under review while systems mapping reveals a more structural image on the topic’s knowledge structure. Finally, cognitive mapping is more capable to exhibit a systemic image of the topic’s knowledge structure. The cost of using multiple maps is that the exercise is slightly more time-consuming to conduct and the findings take more study effort.

By synthesizing the experience of conducting literature review with the category 1-3 approaches, the writer is in a position to propose an organized framework on the diagramming-based literature review approach. This proposal is elaborated on in the next section.

4.      A closer look at the diagramming-based literature review approach

The academic works on diagramming-based literature covers three exercises: (i) the thematic analysis, (ii) the mind mapping-based literature review and (iii) the diagramming-based literature review with diverse maps. These three exercises have been incorporated into two literature review approaches, namely, (i) the mind mapping-based literature review approach and (ii) the diagramming-based literature review approach. Their relationship with each other is clarified in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the diagramming-based literature review framework covers three categories of literature review approaches. They are (i) the thematic analysis approach (essentially without using any maps in the approach) (C1), (ii) the mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach (C2), and (iii) the diagramming-based literature review approach (C3). Category 1 (C1) approach, i.e. the thematic analysis approach, makes up step 1 in both the mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach (C2) and the diagramming-based literature review approach (C3). The diagramming-based literature review approach (C3) is different from the mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach (C2) in that its step 2 involves the construction of three types of maps, i.e., the mind map, the systems map and the cognitive map while that of the mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach (C2) produces a mind map only.

The last point to make on diagramming-based literature review (i.e., C1 to 3) is that it is a vital intellectual endeavour for managerial intellectual learning. [Undeniably, some readers might just be interested in diagramming-based literature review for their literature review practices that are not related to managerial intellectual learning nor to the MPSB Research. The learning gained by doing it enables MPSB knowledge compilation to take place. Vice versa, an MPSB knowledge compilation exercise could sensitise the diagramming-based literature review to be conducted with critical systems thinking awareness. Diagrams provided via diagramming-based literature review, when explicitly incorporated with MPSB concepts (Ho, 2015), are MPSB frameworks. And, it is possible that an MPSB framework can take the form of a mind map, a systems map, a cognitive map, or a hybrid type of them. For this reason, it is methodologically justifiable to treat the diagramming-based literature review as a vital topic in managerial intellectual learning (MIL) and the MPSB Research. Table 1 on attributes of diagramming-based practices clarifies this conceptual topic.

Table 1: Types of diagramming-based practices and their attributes

Attributes	Diagramming-based literature review I	Diagramming-based literature review II	Diagramming for Practice-based intellectual learning
Literature review in nature	Yes (except the mind mapping- based qualitative data analysis[3] in (C2).)	Yes	No
Construction of diagrams and tables	Only diagrams	Diagrams and/ or tables as MPSB frameworks	Diagrams (primarily client-based systems diagrams) and tables
Concerned about academic value and interest	High	High	Low
Employment of MPSB knowledge compilation	Not explicit	Yes.	Not explicit
MIL phases involved[4]	Phase 1: Data Management; Phase 2: Absorbed reading	Phase 3: The MPSB knowledge compilation	Phase*: Practice-based intellectual learning
An MIL activity	Recommended, but not mandatory	Mandatory	Recommended, but not mandatory

With reference to Table 1, the recent academic works on diagramming-based literature review, i.e., categories 2 and 3, belong to diagramming-based literature review 1. It is also recognized that diagramming-based literature could involve MPSB knowledge compilation; this is referred to as diagramming-based literature review 2 in Table 2. [The only problem is that not all MPSB frameworks are in diagram form; some are in table form only.]. Diagramming can also be done in the MIL phase of Practice-based intellectual learning for the generation of client-based systems diagrams. This is called diagramming for Practice-based intellectual learning in Table 1. Diagrams constructed via diagramming-based literature review 2 and diagramming for Practice-based intellectual learning together constitute the MPSB cognitive filter for management (explicit) (Ho, 2014a).

5.      Concluding remarks

Diagramming-based literature review is a research topic that has good academic and pedagogical values, notably to the fields of managerial intellectual learning, the MPSB Research, Research Methods and the various topics as reviewed with this approach. The hands-on exercises with the three categories of diagramming-based literature review carried out by the writer enable the writer to refine the ideas involved. This discussion in this paper testifies to the theoretical progress made on this topic. It is expected that more social sciences’ topics will be examined with diagramming-based literature review (i.e., the three categories of it), leading to further evolving thinking on this review theme.

Bibliography

1.      Ho, J.K.K. 2014a. “A Research Note on the concept of the Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) Cognitive Filter for Management” European Academic Research 2(1) April: 686-704.

2.      Ho, J.K.K. 2014b. “A Research Note on the Managerial Intellectual Learning Capability-Building Mechanism (MILCBM)” European Academic Research 3(1) May: 2029-2047.

3.      Ho, J.K.K. 2015. “An updated research note on the key Multi-perspective, Systems-based (MPSB) concepts in the Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research” American Research Thoughts 1(11) September: 2693-2704.

4.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016a. “A survey study on intrapreneurship perceptions in Hong Kong” American Research Thoughts 2(8) June: 3866-3883.

5.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016b. “Utilizing adult learning literature to enrich the subject of managerial intellectual learning: a proposal” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog July 23 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/07/utilizing-adult-learning-literature-to.html).

6.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016c. “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) approach to study customer relationship management (CRM): an application” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog September 3 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/09/a-mind-mapping-based-literature-review.html).

7.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016d. “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) on e-procurement with exploration on the academic interest and value involved” Joseph KK Ho e-resource blog August 28 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/08/a-mind-mapping-basedliterature-review.html).

8.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016e. “A mind mapping-based literature review (MMBLR) on business intelligence (BI) and business intelligence system (BIS)” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog August 22 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/08/a-mind-mapping-based-literature-review.html).

9.      Ho, J.K.K. 2016f. “A mind mapping-based literature review on strategic management accounting” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog September 8 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/09/a-mind-mapping-based-literature-review_8.html).

10.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016g. “A qualitative data analysis on e-tailing contents on the Internet with the Hong Kong/ mainland China context” Joseph KK Ho e-resources August 14 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/08/a-qualitative-data-analysis-on-e.html).

11.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016h. “A qualitative data analysis on the New Territories small housing policy (NTSHP) in Hong Kong with a mind map” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog August 3 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/08/a-qualitative-data-analysis-on-new.html).

12.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016i. “A qualitative data analysis with mind mapping on the Hong Kong subdivided flats topic” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog July 6 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/07/mind-mapping-on-hong-kong-subdivided.html).

13.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016j. “A diagramming-based literature review on employer branding” American Research Thoughts 2(8) June: 3987-4003.

14.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016k. “A diagramming-based literature on social exclusion” Joseph KK Ho e-resources July 15 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/07/a-diagramming-based-literature-review_15.html).

15.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016l. “A diagramming-based literature review on housing market” 4(3) June, European Academic Research: 2175-2194.

16.  Ho, J.K.K. 2016m. “A literature review on employability with diagramming techniques” American Research Thoughts 2(6) April: 3771-3784.

17.  Ho, J.KK. 2016n. “A diagramming-based literature review on Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research” Joseph KK Ho e-resources blog July 10 (url address: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2016/07/a-diagramming-based-literature-review.html)

18.  Managerial intellectual learning Facebook page, maintained by Joseph, K.K. Ho (url address: https://www.facebook.com/managerial.intellectual.learning/).

19.  The Multi-perspective, Systems-based Research Facebook page, maintained by Joseph, K.K. Ho (url address: https://www.facebook.com/multiperspective.systemsbased.research/).

---

[1] An MPSB framework is a knowledge structure of management disciplines that is generated as a result of review of a management discipline based on critical systems thinking (Ho, 2015).

[2] An MPSB cognitive filter for management is a set of inter-related key MPSB concepts that are used by managers to make sense of various management approaches and management viewpoints; these approaches and viewpoints are what managers encounter from time to time in the world of management practices (Ho, 2015).

[3] The mind mapping based qualitative data analysis does not review academic and scholarly works; instead, it studies contents such as newspaper articles, blog articles and product brochures, etc.. For this reason, it is called a qualitative data analysis, not a literature review.

[4] There are four phases in the managerial intellectual learning process framework: Phase 1: Data Management, Phase 2: Absorbed reading, Phase 3: The MPSB knowledge compilation, and Phase *: Practice-based intellectual learning (Managerial intellectual learning Facebook page; Ho, 2014b).