Grounded theory and management research: a lack of integrity?
Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
ISSN: 1746-5648
Article publication date: 28 August 2007
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the manner in which “objectivist” grounded theory methodology has progressively developed since 1967 and how it has been employed by management researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper traces the methodological development of grounded theory with particular emphasis on the variations, contradictions and modifications to the methodology both between and within the Glaserian and Straussian Schools. Totally 32 empirical grounded theory studies published in the management literature since 2002 are analysed in order to gauge the impact of these variations on the manner in which researchers have employed the grounded theory methodology.
Findings
It is argued that grounded theory in management research is in danger of losing its integrity. The methodology has become so pliant that management researchers appear to have accepted it as a situation of “anything goes” “Grounded theory” is now loosely used as a generic term to refer to any qualitative approach in which an inductive analysis is grounded in data.
Originality/value
It could be argued that grounded theory cannot continue to be regarded as a moving target, or to be practised as a free‐for‐all methodology in management research, without risking serious danger of becoming irrelevant. Three suggestions are offered for restoring more discipline into grounded theory studies.
Keywords
Citation
Jones, R. and Noble, G. (2007), "Grounded theory and management research: a lack of integrity?", Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 84-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465640710778502
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited