ABSTRACT

The field of management research is commonly regarded as or aspires to be a science discipline. As such, management researchers face similar methodological problems as their counterparts in other science disciplines. There are at least two ways that philosophy is connected with management research: ontological and epistemological.

Despite an increasing number of scattered philosophy-based discussions of research methodology, there has not been a book that provides a systematic and more comprehensive treatment of the subject. This book addresses this gap in the market and provides new ideas and arguments for guiding management researchers.

chapter 1|17 pages

Philosophy

An under-laborer serving researchers

chapter 2|20 pages

Explanation

Different ways of answering “why?”

chapter 3|25 pages

Assumptions

Not something to be assumed away

chapter 4|34 pages

Theory testing

A seemingly straightforward process

chapter 5|32 pages

Generalization

A controversial endeavor

chapter 6|38 pages

Replication

An ignored necessity

chapter 7|27 pages

Historiography

A neglected research method

chapter 8|7 pages

Looking ahead

To be, or not to be, a science