ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS - IS IT DEAD OR ALIVE - COMMENT

There has been significant criticism of academic research in management/organizations. Although some is valid, other criticism is unfair and sometimes inaccurate. Academic research in management is better than at any time in the past. Furthermore, teaching and research in management are not atomistic; rather, they can be highly complementary. Still, management research can be improved, perhaps, partially through research advisory boards (RABs) recommended by Ramon J. Aldag and Sally Riggs Fuller. However, RABs only provide part of the answer to the criticisms advanced. Current research in management/organizations has significant implications for practicing managers, but much of it is not easily accessible to them. Thus researchers must find ways to make their research more accessible to important constituencies. The author concludes that management research is alive, not dead. However, researchers must continue to improve it and respond to the criticisms from important constituencies.