Metatheories in Management Studies: Reflections Upon Individualism, Holism, and Systemism

Three metatheoretical positions, known as individualism, holism, and systemism, are salient in management research programs. The world views of individualism and holism in particular are a matter of controversy between social scientists, leading to serious shortcomings in the prevailing research pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Management (Paris, France : 1998) France : 1998), 2007-01, Vol.10 (3), p.49-69
Main Authors: Reihlen, Markus, Klaas-Wissing, Thorsten, Ringberg, Torsten
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Decision theory
Holism
Individualism
Knowledge management
Management theory
Ontology
Philosophers
Social sciences
Studies
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Summary:Three metatheoretical positions, known as individualism, holism, and systemism, are salient in management research programs. The world views of individualism and holism in particular are a matter of controversy between social scientists, leading to serious shortcomings in the prevailing research programs. As we argue in this paper, neither view is adequate. A cogent alternative to both is systemism, which integrates the valuable insights of individualism and holism without their drawbacks. The paper illustrates the specific implications of each of these world views for knowledge management research. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1286-4692
1286-4692
DOI:10.3917/mana.103.0049