Epistemological Influence Formulation of Management Ways in Which the Choice of an Epistemological Perspective or Stance Influence the Formulation of a Management Research Problem Order Instructions: Epistemology is a ‘general set of assumptions about the best ways of inquiring into the nature of the world’ (Easterby-Smith, et al., 2012, p.17). Epistemology addresses questions such as:
• What is knowledge?
• How is knowledge acquired?
• How do we know what we know?
• Is it possible to have knowledge at all?
In research, an epistemological stance will influence how you choose a research topic as well as the methodology and methods you use. Review the resources this week to explore the role of epistemology in research.
In a 825 word response, post your answers to the following questions to the Discussion Board by Saturday:
•In what ways does the choice of an epistemological perspective or stance influence the formulation of a management research problem?
Epistemological Influence Formulation of Management Sample Answer
Ways in Which the Choice of an Epistemological Perspective or Stance Influence the Formulation of a Management Research Problem
Epistemology principles play a critical role in formulation and improvement of management research at different levels of research activities (Joullié, 2016). Each of the different layers of epistemology arrangements is distinct in the way it engages with management and carrying out management research. Numerous studies have been carried out to understand how the choice of epistemology affects the outcome of management research with one of the effects being the provision of primary methods of knowledge formation as it relates to research. Thus, Epistemology assists researchers to understand, present, and judge management activities.
According to Umesh (2014), management research involves planning, acquisition, analysis, and dissemination of information to organizational stakeholders so that they are able to make worthwhile decisions and improve the productivity of an organization. Moreover, management research not only focuses on the attainment of knowledge, but how this knowledge is acquired. On the other hand, epistemology is a philosophical branch that deals encompass knowledge attained from nature thus providing a foundation in which knowledge can be sought through problem formulation (Kipping & Üsdiken, 2014). To better carry out management research, epistemology provides the ground in which managers formulate problems and come up with answers pertaining to the worldly beliefs of the organization or industry.
Epistemological choices impact the process by which managers formulate what is perceived as world knowledge (Becker 2012). Assumptions on what we know impacts experiences as either true or false, what true and false means, and if at all we perceive true and false to be viable. Thus, choosing an epistemological choice in formulating a research problem shows that researchers do not only accept common beliefs but assess the source of knowledge since human beings are normally led by what they believe in rather than what they know. The choice directs the way the research is going to be undertaken and the methodology applicable to the research problem. Instead of focusing on beliefs, management researchers are able to evaluate all inputs related to the research problem when there is a consideration of epistemology perspective (Baskerville, Kaul, & Storey, 2015).
Another way that epistemological choice influence research problem is in the approval of knowledge claims that validate the content of the problem. For instance, if something is factual, it has to be analyzed in the epistemological foundation so that it can be approved and implemented. If a certain variable is required in carrying out research or defining the research problem, for instance, determination of skills required for competent managers, epistemology comes into view since values and assumptions are used to construct the social realities. The constructed social realities will then cause action with regards to answering the research problem (Radaeli et al. 2015).
One choice related to epistemology perspective that influences management research problem is the interpretive approach. In this approach, the social environment has its distinctive view of the world (Glaub et al. 2015). However, the world view may not necessarily influence research problem. Instead of applying the perceived knowledge, managers can use the stakeholders that influence the stated problem to carry out their research. In this instance, it is only through action that a research problem can be formulated since what is known and what it deemed to be true or false might not necessarily be the origin of the problem faced by an organization or an institution (Shepherd & Challenger, 2013). Thus, it is impeccable for management researchers to understand both the internal and external environment of the organization instead of applying the world views and beliefs to formulate a research problem.
Management research encompasses both theory and practice. Though it’s possible for the researchers to be found at different points in the research, it is not possible for them to be in either the practical part or the theoretical section. In the practice segment, the managers can experience epistemic shifts that are brought about by finances or organizational politics. Likewise, in the theoretical section, the researchers will be influenced by outcomes of other researches or academic knowledge. Thus, epistemology enables managers to formulate research problem by considering the ‘know what’ and ‘know how’ (Umesh, Raut & Nitin, 2014). The research problem will, therefore, be based on a qualitative concept by looking for proved facts in the books or articles and subjecting the problem to the organizational variables rather than using the philosophical viewpoints.
In carrying out research, managers cannot just assume philosophy and disconnect from the epistemological commitments if they were to do the research objectively (Morell & Learmonth, 2015). The choice of epistemological perspective is necessary to be successful in management research. It is important for management researcher to engage with all the stakeholders of an organization in the formulation of management research problem so that the outcome will be viable and bring positive results to all the functions of the organization. Instead of the managers basing the problem on only their known facts or world view points, understanding knowledge from the view point of epistemology should be utilized. Understanding the problem as known by the society and interpreting information by involving all stakeholders is what leads to successful research and provision of information needed to make wise decisions. Thus, the choice of epistemological perspective is crucial in formulating a research problem and if managers understood all concepts beforehand, the research problem would generate the required results.
Epistemological Influence Formulation of Management References
Baskerville, R, Kaul, M, & Storey, V 2015, ‘Genres Of Inquiry In Design-Science Research: Justification And Evaluation Of Knowledge Production’, MIS Quarterly, 39, 3, pp. 541-A9, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 31 May 2016.
Becker, J., & Niehaves, B. 2012. ‘Epistemological perspectives on IS research: a framework for analyzing and systematizing epistemological assumptions’, Information Systems Journal, 17(2), 197-214. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2575.2007.00234
Dasgupta, M. 2015. ‘Exploring the Relevance of Case Study Research’, Vision (09722629), 19(2), 147-160. doi:10.1177/0972262915575661.
Glaub, M, Frese, M, Fischer, S, & Hoppe, M 2015, ‘Increasing Personal Initiative in Small Business Managers or Owners Leads to Entrepreneurial Success: A Theory-Based Controlled Randomized Field Intervention for Evidence-Based Management’, Academy Of Management Learning & Education, 2015, 1, pp. 21-46, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 31 May 2016.
Joullié, J. 2016. ‘The Philosophical Foundations of Management Thought’, Academy Of Management Learning & Education, 15(1), 157-179. doi:10.5465/amle.2012.0393.
Kipping, M., & Üsdiken, B. 2014. ‘History in Organization and Management Theory: More Than Meets the Eye’, Academy Of Management Annals, 8(1), 535-588. doi:10.1080/19416520.2014.911579.
Morrell, K., & Learmonth, M. 2015. ‘Against Evidence-Based Management, for Management Learning’, Academy of Management Learning & Education, 14(4), 520-533. doi:10.5465/amle.2014.0346.
Radaelli, G., Guerci, M., Cirella, S., & Shani, A. 2014. ‘Intervention Research as Management Research in Practice: Learning from a Case in the Fashion Design Industry’, British Journal of Management, 25(2), 335-351. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8551.2012.00844.
Shepherd, C., & Challenger, R. 2013. ‘Revisiting Paradigm(s) in Management Research: A Rhetorical Analysis of the Paradigm Wars ‘, International Journal of Management Reviews, 15(2), 225-244. doi:10.1111/ijmr.12004
Umesh, Raut & Nitin, Balaso. 2014. Management research: To understand the role of epistemology in management research. Journal of management and science SSN: 2249-1260 | e-ISSN: 2250-1819 | Vol.4. No.1 | March’2014
