Management and Research Methodology

This article analyzes the relevance of the literature on research methodology to understanding the difficulty of linking theory and management practice, and the problems faced by the management professional in attempting to apply experience to new situations. After comparing the needs and modes of thinking of managers and researchers, it argues that each is faced with two issues: abstracting the more generally applicable elements of theories as experience and assessing the generalizability of their conclusions. Guidelines for each of these issues are provided, and the way in which researchers and practitioners can benefit from each others' perspectives is discussed.