The qualitative process data approach as an opportunity to improve innovation management studies

Abstract

Objective: This article presents the process data research approach as an opportunity to improve management studies and to create a roadmap for beginners. Process research is a sidelined way to conduct qualitative studies. The fundamental concern of the process approach is to capture and apprehend the meanings attributed to organizational phenomena directly in the field of research, aiming to understand and answer the questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ events change over time. Method: This study reviews selected recent research on innovation management that used process research criteria (temporal orientation, units of analysis, sample, data, analytical strategies, and conceptual products) as the backdrop. Main Results: The main result of this paper is the creation of a roadmap for applying the process research approach. Also, it highlights elements of improvement for management studies from the process data approach. Relevance / Originality: This study provides several examples of qualitative process research in innovation. The proposed roadmap helps increase the rigor and uses of this research approach. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: We offer an academic discussion on process research’s role in improving (innovation) management studies.