Industrial relations, critical social science and reform: I, principles of engagement

Industrial relations has long had a concern with the links between research and policy. This concern connects with wider debates on emancipation in the related field of C ritical M anagement and in social science in general. This paper lays out an approach to engagement with policy through four arguments. First, ontological realism provides a grounding for claims as to scientific truth. Second, we can also say from realist principles that people have real interests. Third, links between ‘is’ and ‘ought’ can be addressed through the normative arguments presented by A ndrew S ayer. Finally, dimensions of real interests, based on the work of Ed H eery, are identified. Part II of the paper provides application and illustration.