Epistemological foundations of management theory and research methodology

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nodoushani, Omid

Affiliations: Department of Management, School of Business, University of New Haven, 300 Orange Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. Tel.: +1 203 931 6038; Fax: +1 203 931 6092; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Beginning in the 1980s, some management researchers began to question the hegemonic position of the positivist epistemology in management and organizational studies. The “good old” scientific research methodology in management and organizational studies which is characterized by careful sampling, precise measurement, and sophisticated design and analysis in the test of hypotheses derived from tentative general laws. Examining the epistemological foundations of management theory and research methodology, this paper explores the roots of positivist epistemology, its evolution, basic presuppositions, and general assumptions through the development of three paradigms – the idea of social science, the unity of science movement, and the behavioral science revolution.

Keywords: Epistemology, research methodology, positivism, philosophy of science

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2000-19108

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 71-80, 2000