Management Research: Philosophy and Design

BAM Doctoral Conference9th September 2013

Professor Mark Easterby-Smith

Aims of the Session

• To build up a model for looking at research philosophies.

• To consider how philosophies can effect the design and conduct of research projects.

Research Philosophies: A Grid

Detached

Involved

Realism Conventionalism

Ontology and Epistemology

Ontology Realism Internal Realism

Relativism Nominalism

Single truth Truth is obscure

Many truths No truth

Facts exist to be revealed

Facts exist but are hard to uncover

Facts depend on view of observer

Facts are all created

Epistemology Positivism Constructionism

Epistemology and MethodologyEpistem-ology

Strong Positivism

Positivism Con-structionism

Strong Construction-ism

Aims Discovery Exposure Convergence Invention

Starting points

Hypotheses Propositions Questions Critique

Designs Experiments Large surveys Cases and small surveys

Engagement

Data types Numbers & data

Numbers and words

Words and numbers

Words; experiences

Analysis Verification & falsification

Correlation Triangulation Sense making; understanding

Outcomes Confirm theories

Test and generate theories

Theory generation

Insights and actions

Bibliography

• Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P. (2012, 4th Edn) Management Research. London: Sage.

• Reason, P and Bradbury, H. (2000) Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. London: Sage.

• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009, 5th Edn) Research Methods for Business Students. London: Prentice Hall

• Strauss, A.L. and Corbin, J. (1998, 2nd Edn) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. London: Sage.

• Yin, R.E.(2002, 3rd Edn) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. London: Sage.