The SAGE Dictionary of Qualitative Management Research

Citation

Allen, M.M.C. (2009), "The SAGE Dictionary of Qualitative Management Research", Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 200-201. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465640910978436

As a result of the seemingly bewildering proliferation of qualitative research methods within the social sciences, a need has arisen for a concise, yet comprehensive guide to those research methods. The Sage Dictionary of Qualitative Management Research edited by Richard Thorpe and Robin Holt more than meets that demand for those undertaking qualitative management research. It will be a great asset not only to experienced researchers, but also to those undertaking detailed research for the first time.

Although the book focuses primarily on qualitative research methods, this does not mean that editors have a hidebound approach to the choice of research method. For instance, in an insightful and lucid introduction on “What is Management Research?”, the editors note the strengths of quantitative research methods. Indeed, they also highlight some of the commonalities between qualitative and quantitative research. In addition, several of the entries in the dictionary incorporate discussions of quantitative methods where appropriate.

The introductory chapter on management research, which is one of the book's many strengths, raises a number of other points. First, it poses the question of why management, which is equated with wealth creation, very broadly defined, is worthy of study. The answer, they contend, is that, by becoming more aware of the social processes surrounding wealth creation, an opportunity is created to influence not only the structures and objects associated with that process, but also our own development. This, in turn, may make an improvement in people's lives possible. This notion is, it should be stressed, underpinned by the emphasis on management not just in companies, but also, inter alia, in government, not‐for‐profit organizations and entrepreneurial ventures of various kinds.

Second, the editors draw attention to the evolving nature of management itself and, hence, the changing emphases and perspectives within management research. As new solutions to management problems emerge, new pressures come to the fore that require different perspectives to tackle them. This results in a continual search for new ways of managing social processes of wealth creation. Finally, they note that this search will rely on research that aims to report, explain, describe and evaluate management. The editors put forward a careful and cogent case in favour of qualitative research methods being able to meet this range of objectives more frequently than quantitative research can. The extent to which different research methods meet those four goals can, of course, vary.

In order to address these issues and to provide other researchers with insights into cardinally important aspects of qualitative research, the editors have assembled a team of leading experts. Their entries are built around a framework that covers “definition”, “discussion” and “prospects”. This lends a coherency to the entries that promotes legibility. The entries cover the gamut of issues relating to qualitative management research from “access” through “complexity theories” and “reliability” to “video data analysis”. Although the entries are only approximately 1,000 words long, they deal with the key issues in a comprehensive and impartial way. This is of great benefit to researchers as it will enable them to assess quickly the essence of the many facets of qualitative research. The entries, therefore, exhibit strength in both breadth of topics covered and depth of the individual contributions.

This dictionary will not only enable researchers to further their knowledge of research perspectives with which they are already familiar, but also facilitate a deeper understanding of viewpoints and methodologies that they may not be familiar with. In doing so, the important contribution to management research that the editors of, and the internationally renowned contributors to, this dictionary have made is twofold. First, they have provided researchers with a foundation upon which they can judge appropriate methods for their own studies. Second, and consequently, they have made it more likely that significant research will be conducted and that management practices can make an improved contribution to social lives. The book, therefore, has much to recommend it to all those undertaking management research.