Useful Research

ONEResearch for Theory and PracticeFraming the Challenge

SUSAN ALBERS MOHRMANAND EDWARD E. LAWLER III

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT researchers have for decades emphasized theory development and testing with little concern for impact on practice. Why now the increased voicing of concern for relevance? As we look through the rapidly expanding research literature and listen to the voices that are advocating change, multiple rationales for closing the gap between research and practice are apparent. They include instrumental and pragmatic arguments, values-based positions, and methodological and epistemological arguments. The third rationale is based on the artifactual nature of organizations and the need to understand them in relationship to the purposes ...