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A sustainable collaborative research dialogue between practitioners and academics

Chun‐Yu Chen (Business Administration, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan)
Yen‐Chun Jim Wu (Business Management, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan)
Wen‐Hsiung Wu (Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

Management Decision

ISSN: 0025-1747

Article publication date: 22 March 2013

3361

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the co‐production of knowledge and dialogic relationships via the collaboration between business practitioners and academic researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The motivations, expectations, communication processes, and final performance of those engaged in collaborative management research are explored by applying a two‐pronged methodology with a content analysis and an e‐mail survey. The authors conducted a content analysis on 136 articles identified out of a total of 2,029 articles from six leading journals during 2006‐2011 which fulfilled the criteria of being coauthored by both professors and practitioners. An e‐mail survey of six open questions was given to pre‐screened authors in the first stage to investigate the in‐depth dialogue processes and stories of these collaborations.

Findings

The results revealed that collaboration topics of interest focused mostly on organizational behavior, business policy, and strategy, and that theoretical inquiry and case study were the most used research methods. According to the 68 valid returned e‐mail surveys, the providing of consulting services by professors in firms plays a critical role in facilitating knowledge co‐creation between practice and knowing. The findings also highlight key factors of sustainable co‐production relationships.

Originality/value

This study provides an empirical, valuable step towards an investigation into the co‐creation dialogue experiences of practitioners and academics in three dimensions: purpose, procedure, and promise.

Keywords

Citation

Chen, C., Jim Wu, Y. and Wu, W. (2013), "A sustainable collaborative research dialogue between practitioners and academics", Management Decision, Vol. 51 No. 3, pp. 566-593. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251741311309661

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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