Historiometry in Organizational Science

Abstract

Historiometric analysis (HMA), an organized set of content analytic techniques, allows researchers to convert historical information into numeric data that are appropriate for complex statistical analyses and modeling. The HMA method has been present in the social sciences for more than a century, yet is largely absent from the management and organizational sciences literatures. In this article, we make the case for increased attention to HMA in organizational research, and describe research scenarios for which the techniques prescribed by HMA are particularly well-suited. We also provide a comprehensive guide for conducting historiometric analysis including practical guidelines, procedural instructions, and analysis of potential obstacles to the research process.