The division between academic knowledge and its relevance for practice is an enduring problem across many fields. Nowhere is this division more pronounced, and resolution of its negative features more required, than in academic management research and its relationship to management practice, for...

Purpose – This paper aims to specify a set of methodological stages to conduct case studies. It presents a graphical representation of these stages, describes how it assists management researchers to build theory from data gathered in the field, and outlines its value for achieving sound...

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to introduce the themed issue about qualitative research in the business and management field Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers some issues about how to define the term “qualitative research”, and then introduces each of the papers in...

Purpose – To contribute to improved research practices by addressing three key realities in management research, all being largely disregarded by research: complexity, context and persona (the human and social aspects of researcher behaviour). Design/methodology/approach – Based on...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the qualitative synthesis and use of existing management research to inform management practice. Design/methodology/approach – Three methods of qualitative synthesis, each with contrasting methodologies, are presented and their potential...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a piece of empirical work that investigates the current role and status of qualitative research within the management field. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on 45 in‐depth qualitative interviews with members of a range...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe linkages between the techniques of poetical expression and the language used by scholars to communicate management practice. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to consider the stylistic perspective of the language used for...

Purpose – Major changes have taken place in sport in recent years, which has consequently led to the emergence and development of an associated sport management literature. To date, this literature has been confined to the margins of management theory and research, although the development of...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss, among alternative European currents, a “foundationalist perspective for management research” (FPM) which redefines the identity, rigor and relevance of management research. Design/methodology/approach – The management...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically review the relationship between management research and practice particularly in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of an historical survey of initiatives and different conceptual approaches. Findings – The...