Credibility of Organizational Research: A Philosophical Asymmetry in Practice and Conceptualization

Abstract

The review study was based on understanding the traditional role of organizational research in its evolution andthe intended improvement in organizational performance. The review expands on empirical provocative articleon publication bias in medical journals which concluded that most in most research designs the researchfindings are false. This is a serious threat to cumulative knowledge development and is injurious to the academicenterprise. Organizational research is seemingly contaminated by a widely shared prescription for research tobe ‘interesting’ while eliminating philosophical quality. This contributes to the mismatch between the objectivesof the research and organizational practices. The field of organizational research is experiencing disruptivetrends since it is the meeting point for numerous disciplines. Organizational research should strive to beinformed by responsible research than to focus on being merely ‘interesting’. This requires paying attention tothe research paradigm components: ontology, epistemology, methodology, and methods to resolve thecredibility challenge. The study provided a basis for harmonizing philosophical and organizational research toclose the discovered gaps. Addressing the credibility dilemma in organizational research is crucial to ignitingtransformation conversations; maintaining public confidence, and guarding the authority of those in academics.The scientific claims of organizational research should be beyond reproach. This article advocates for the needto shun the current over-reliance on formulaic conformity, instrumental research, and a partisan approach toresearch.