Advancing Management Theory through Interdisciplinary Research: Challenges and Opportunities

• Published in: Academy of Management journal 2024-12, Vol.67 (6), p.1421-1427
• Main Authors: Reinecke, Juliane, Little, Laura M., Simons, Tal, Bliese, Paul, Dencker, John, Roberson, Quinetta, von Krogh, Georg, Gruber, Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Challenges; Fidelity; Innovations; Interdisciplinary aspects; Interdisciplinary research; Management development programmes; Motivation; Research methodology
• ISSN: 0001-4273; 1948-0989
• DOI: 10.5465/amj.2024.4006

Interdisciplinary research in management has the potential to provide new insights and address complex societal challenges. It can drive theoretical and methodological innovation and offer a promising approach to tackling pressing issues. However, interdisciplinary research also comes with challenges. Articles published in the Academy of Management Journal must advance management theory and provide clear added value to the field. Theories developed from interdisciplinary research must have greater explanatory power and shed light on unexplored factors. The purpose of this editorial is to encourage scholars to consider interdisciplinary research and provide recommendations for addressing the challenges associated with it. Interdisciplinary research involves answering questions or addressing topics that are too complex for a single discipline. It draws on disciplinary perspectives and integrates their insights into a more comprehensive perspective. The primary driver of interdisciplinarity is the complexity of the problem or phenomenon being studied. Interdisciplinary research resides between multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, with varying levels of integration between disciplines. Interdisciplinary research can contribute to management science by providing theoretical innovation, methodological advances, and problem-driven research. However, there are common challenges in conducting interdisciplinary research. These include the lack of clear motivation, the absence of a common language, insufficient theorizing, and practical considerations. To overcome these challenges, researchers should clearly articulate the motivation for interdisciplinary research, bridge the language gap between disciplines, demonstrate depth in interdisciplinary theorizing, and ensure theoretical fidelity. By navigating these challenges, scholars can produce interdisciplinary research that advances management theory and addresses complex problems.