Management concepts and practices

Epistemology

At first glance, the idea that an epistemological stance, a notion that is more associated with philosophy than with managerial pragmatism, can influence a management research problem seems out of the question. However, this is not the case: the researchers own views on knowledge and on approaches towards knowledge can obviously play a significant role in the way the research is conducted.

Gray (2009) is one of the theoreticians that goes into great detail to describe ways in which the choice of an epistemological perspective or stance influence the formulation of a management research problem. According to Gray, the relationship between the management research problem and the epistemological perspective is given by the research methodology, which, in turn, is affected by the "theoretical perspectives adopted by the researchers" (Gray, 2009).

In other words, Gray identifies a direct connection that starts with the epistemological perspective, leads to theory and theoretical perspectives, which affect the research methodology, which has an impact on the management research problem. Certainly, one can embrace the argument that the epistemological stance, one's own beliefs, values and knowledge, will determine how the management research problem is not only formulated, but also approached. Depending on what one's stance is, one is likely to see a different approach to the management research problem.

Gray also summarizes this in a flow chart that describes the relationship between epistemology, theoretical perspectives, methodology and methods. For example, an objective epistemological approach could propose a positivist theoretical perspective for the management research question, leading to a choice for an experimental research, which will be undertaken through sampling, which will also involve a questionnaire of some kind and interviews with a group of selected individuals.

The work of Johnson and Duberley (2000) comes to reinforce Gray's assertions. They state that all things related to the product of a research process, the way one arrives at a particular question and area of study, the way the investigation and research is undertaken, including the research methodology and any other related issue are linked to "underlying epistemological commitments." There is no pure and objective way of undertaking a management research project: everything from the choice of subject to the end result is closely linked to the underlying epistemological stance.

The arguments previously presented in the paragraphs above are particularly viable when it comes to a management research question. Management, by its definition and condition, is both a socio-psychological area of study and a business and economics one. On one hand, it benefits from the pragmatism of economic and business principles, but, on the other hand, it also enjoys a more subjective area, resulting from the socio-psychological perspective, reflected by the interaction between individual in an organizational system.