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The one best way? ‘Scientific’ research on HRM and the threat to critical scholarship
Author(s) -
Harley Bill
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
human resource management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.44
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1748-8583
pISSN - 0954-5395
DOI - 10.1111/1748-8583.12082
Subject(s) - scholarship , positivism , dominance (genetics) , pluralism (philosophy) , sociology , variety (cybernetics) , political science , social science , public relations , epistemology , computer science , law , biochemistry , philosophy , artificial intelligence , gene , chemistry
HRM scholarship is increasingly dominated by ‘scientific’ research characterised by a positivist methodology, complex statistical techniques, correlational theorising and incremental advances in knowledge. While this approach has long been prominent in HRM research, what is new is the almost total dominance of this kind of research, which has largely crowded out alternative approaches, particularly those that are overtly critical in orientation. A variety of institutional factors has contributed to this shift in HRM scholarship, and these place significant obstacles in front of those who seek to reclaim space for critical voices. There is, however, room for greater methodological pluralism, and researchers, academic institutions and journals have roles to play in promoting viable alternatives.