publications
A selection of English publications is included here. Most are freely available.
Filter by subject area or search by keyword. For a complete overview, download the publication list.
Most of my work has focused on societal issues. The two main books on this theme address ‘tough issues’ and, more recently, ‘the patchwork perspective’. Key ideas are accessible here through a summary of the former, and through podcasts and a chapter on the latter. Other publications focus on specific themes, such as sustainability transitions or institutional complexity.
Podcasts about the patchwork perspective
NotebookLM based on Hans Vermaak, 2026
Video / audio · change · change agents · complex issues · patchwork · systems thinking
The colors of change – revisited
Hans Vermaak, Léon de Caluwé
Contributions to books · change · change agents · colors of change · complex issues
Facilitating local ownership through paradoxical interventions
Hans Vermaak – Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 2012
My articles · change · change agents · complex issues · helping & learning
Collaborative transformation
Joost Oorthuizen, Hans Vermaak, Carla Romeu Dalmau, Elea Papemmanuel - Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2018
My books · change · complex issues · patchwork · systems thinking
Protected: A patchwork perspective on large scale transitions
Hans Vermaak
Contributions to books · change · complex issues · patchwork · systems thinking
Four contexts of action research
Gertjan Schuiling, Hans Vermaak - International Journal of Action Research, 2017
My articles · change · complex issues · research
Circular venture building
ScaleUp Practititioners, Groene Brein & Investnl, 2024
Interviews and reviews · change · complex issues · patchwork
Using causal loop diagrams to deal with complex issues
Hans Vermaak
Contributions to books · change · complex issues · systems thinking
Conspiring fruitfully with professionals
Hans Vermaak, Mathieu Weggeman - Management Decision, 1999
My articles · complex issues · managing professionals
Working interactively with causal loop diagrams
Hans Vermaak
Contributions to books · change · complex issues · systems thinking
Planning deep change through a series of small wins
Hans Vermaak - Best Paper Academy of Management, 2013
My articles · change · complex issues · helping & learning · research
Navigating Institutional Complexity
Danielle Zandee, Hans Vermaak & Irene Jonkers - Paper Organizational Discourse Conference, 2014
My articles · change · complex issues