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Myopic rhetorics: reflecting epistemologically and ethically on the demand for relevance in organizational and management research

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/12/2008
<mark>Journal</mark>Academy of Management Learning and Education
Issue number4
Volume7
Number of pages16
Pages (from-to)537-552
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

I examine the relevance debate in organizational/management research and teaching asa disciplinary rhetoric that should be treated with a degree of caution if not skepticism. For enslavement to relevance is in danger of reducing our independence as academics—something that, from my experience of working with a consortium of practitioners, I knowthat management values. Here, however, I do not suggest resisting relationships withmanagement. On the contrary, I endorse them as a way of developing productive, ethicalresearch and learning; building sources of access for research; and enhancing teaching. Also, such relationships can supplement existing research-funding resources, although itis still necessary to retain some epistemological distance from management practicewhile engaging with it as an ethical project.