Bridging rigour and relevance: Weber's research approach to understand knowledge integration in creative processes of teams spanning over time and space
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 9 March 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to call for an in‐depth reflection on Weber's research approach based on the notions of adequate causation and objective possibility.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper illustrates the main characteristics and premises of the research approach. It further exemplifies its application through a qualitative study that investigates “How” and “Why” knowledge integration occurs in the creative processes of teams spanning over time and space. In so doing, it argues that Weber's epistemology could remain a valid point of reference to shift from the generation of empirical propositions through qualitative research to the quantitative analysis of empirical regularities recurring into a large number of empirical cases.
Findings
This paper shows how Weber's research approach could assist researchers in overcoming the dichotomy between rigour and relevance in qualitative research within organization and management studies.
Originality/value
The work offers new ways of looking at established ideas within organization and management studies, through new lenses as alternative ways of knowing social phenomena available to scholars, to produce theoretical knowledge relevant for and applicable into practice.
Keywords
Citation
Curzi, Y. and Silveira Reis, R. (2012), "Bridging rigour and relevance: Weber's research approach to understand knowledge integration in creative processes of teams spanning over time and space", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 82-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/19348831211215678
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited