ABSTRACT

This paper presents an inquiry method where the

participants create a visual presentation of their

experiential knowledge of working. As an example

the paper describes experiences from using the

inquiry method together with small local food

producers. The owners use the visual inquiry tool

to present their small company's activities, the

stakeholders involved, problems, strengths,

changes and dreams for the future. Although the

food producers never had described their

knowledge as one picture before, they had no

problem mapping out and visually presenting

complex information about their production. The

method uses sticky notes as mapping tools, which

enables the participants to rearrange information,

point at related information, jump in time and also

include the research group in the knowledge

creation. The use of the visual inquiry method

increases the participants’ involvement and

community building. The paper also describes how

the visual presentations, created at several inquiry

sessions, are used in a workshop on collaborative

services.