The Research Methods and Research Practice (RM&RP) strategic interest group (SIG) exists to promote debates – and stimulate innovation – around all aspects of academic research, from its conception through to its execution, the subsequent development of theory and the dissemination of findings and knowledge. The RM&RP SIG seeks to draw understanding about research methods and research practice from all business and management disciplines including Accounting, Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, Learning and Development, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Strategy, and Systems Management. By sharing novel approaches and advancing knowledge about the usefulness of different methods and the facilitators of – and constraints on – the use of those methods in the research and broader environment, it seeks to enable researchers to improve the design and execution of their research and its dissemination. Good research approaches are indispensable to the asking of important research questions, the development of useful theories and meaningful engagement with broader societies. The RM&RP SIG aims to stimulate debate in a supportive environment in which all levels of academic from doctoral students through to senior professors feel at home. The RM&RP SIG aims to promote understanding across national borders and to draw strength from the diversity of research approaches that exist across Europe and beyond. It seeks to generate continuous debate between conferences through its use of a range of different media including electronic newsletters and a presence on the world wide web.
SIG OFFICERS (2025-2026):
SIG Co-Chairs:
Marc Stierand (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland) – marc.stierand@ehl.ch
David Yates (Sheffield University Management School, UK) – d.g.yates@sheffield.ac.uk
General Track Chairs:
Marek Szarucki (Krakow University of Economics, Krakow, Poland) – szaruckm@uek.krakow.pl
Oskar Kosch (Krakow University of Economics, Krakow, Poland) – koscho@uek.krakow.pl
Plenary Organizers:
Michael Schlaile (Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research – ZALF, Germany) – Michael.Schlaile@zalf.de
Florence Allard-Poesi (Université Paris-Est Créteil) – allard-poesi@u-pec.fr
Online conference officer: Luna Leoni (Tor Vergata University of Rome) – luna.leoni@uniroma2.it
SIG Communication Officer: Heidi Collins – hcollins@swinburne.edu.my
RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH PRACTICE SIG STANDING TRACKS
GT12_00 – Research Methods and Research Practice General Track
Short description:
Management scholars’ contribution to knowledge production depends on their ability to develop and apply suitable methods to achieve and interpret findings and to consider suitable conceptual frameworks to guide action for the application of that knowledge. The RM&RP track invites papers on all kinds of research methods, analytical techniques, ontological, epistemological and axiological approaches and management theories. It also welcomes papers on the future challenges facing researchers and research on a variety of methods that would help identify, describe, categorise, analyse, forecast, and/or evaluate micro (individuals), meso (processes), and macro (organizations) levels of management interest.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 2: Zero hunger; Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Oskar Kosch, Krakow University of Economics – contact@oskarkosch.com
ST12_01 – Beyond the Metaphors: Coevolution and Ecosystems in Management
Short description:
In management research, “coevolution” and “ecosystem” are widely used but often without clear specification of mechanisms, levels, or boundaries. This track invites contributions that examine both as theoretical constructs, not just rhetorical devices. We welcome work that defines concepts, analyses when these perspectives add explanatory value and when they mislead, and distinguishes them from related notions such as networks, platforms, clusters, fields, and ideas of interaction or co-creation. All methodological approaches are welcome, including reviews and conceptual papers. This is the track for all research that advances theory and understanding of coevolutionary and ecosystem perspectives in management studies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 2: Zero hunger; Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 14: Life below water; Goal 15: Life on land; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
For more information contact:
Johan Kask, CREDS, University of Inland Norway – johan.kask@inn.no
ST12_01 - Beyond the Metaphors_ Coevolution and Ecosystems in Management
ST12_02 – Research Methods for Complex Adaptive Systems
Short description:
This topic is open to research on a variety of methods that would help identify, describe, categorise, analyse, forecast, and/or evaluate those systems that show adaptability to a level that indicates complexity. Organisations usually show these characteristics and therefore are complex adaptive social systems (CASS). While complexity is not new in management studies, recent technological developments and related methodologies have made it tractable. This ST is directed to any methods—qualitative, quantitative, simulation, hybrid, mixed—that show how CASS are, could, or should be studied.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action
For more information contact:
Davide Secchi, Paris School of Business – d.secchi@psbedu.paris
RESEARCH METHODS AND RESEARCH PRACTICE SIG TRACKS
T12_03 – Management History, Theory, and Philosophy
The track “Management History, Theory, and Philosophy ” addresses the historical development of management and related areas (e.g., entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, retailing, strategy, accounting, auditing, management tools, etc.), including the evolution of concepts, theories, and practices. It also focuses on the application and development of historical research methods and the philosophical foundations of management theories and practices. We aim to encourage theoretically oriented social science history and its methods, with a clear relationship to present-day debates and practices in the management discipline.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Primary Contact:
Matteo Cristofaro, matteo.cristofaro@uniroma2.it
T12_04 – Performance Management: research methods and research practice
The track “Performance Management: research methods and research practice ” aims to attract relevant papers able to contribute to increase existing knowledge on the research methods in Performance Management field and related areas . We aim to encourage theoretically and practically oriented of performance management studies and its methods, with a clear relationship to present-day debates and practices in the management and accounting disciplines. Understanding these foundations is crucial for interpreting trends and advances discussion and debate by management scholars on how performance management systems can be theoretically designed and practically implemented.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Ivo Hristov, hristov@economia.uniroma2.it
T12_04 - Performance Management: research methods and research practice
T12_05 – Inclusive and Creative Management Research
In recent years, a lively discussion has emerged around methodologies and approaches in inclusive management research within organizations. Our track focuses engaging scholars on inclusive and creative management research, rooted in participatory and emancipatory traditions (e.g., disability studies) and the slogan “nothing about us without us. ” These approaches challenge traditional positivistic methods for overlooking diverse experiences. This track aims to unite researchers and practitioners interested in inclusive research principles while exploring alternative, creative ways of writing, doing, and researching inclusion, identity and diversity in organizational and management studies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 10: Reducing inequalities; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Primary Contact:
Frederike Scholz, Frederike.scholz@hu.nl
T12_06 – Navigating different Oceans: Configurational Research in the Age of Complex Management Challenges
This track provides a space for researchers using configurational analysis (CA) to present, discuss, and advance their work. CA is a set-theoretic, case-oriented method for analyzing complex phenomena. It identifies multiple causal pathways based on contextual dependencies, contrasting with variable-based approaches rooted in correlation. Embracing causal asymmetry and conjunctural causation, CA allows for equifinality and multifinality. It moves beyond single-solution logic by adopting a configurational perspective that captures causal complexity, a strategic design well-suited for addressing challenges in management research. We propose to organize and chair a competitive paper session and a workshop to foster scholarly exchange and methodological innovation.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Primary Contact:
Tiago Gonçalves, tiago.goncalves@aln.iseg.ulisboa.pt
T12_07 – Tourism research and practice: trends and transitions
There is an urgent need in tourism theory and practice to understand how firms and destinations can foster agility, innovation, and resilience to effectively address current disruptive turbulences. Evidence from the recent COVID-19 pandemic shows that many tourism subsectors were severely affected, while tourist arrivals have rebounded, reigniting overtourism. Navigating the high waters of disruptive changes requires innovating the way of doing business, consuming and living, affecting tourism organisations and their relationships with multiple stakeholders. To explore how to deal with current global challenges, multiple research methods can be adopted, and several practical examples investigated in developed and developing countries.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities; Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Silvia Baiocco, silvia.baiocco@uniroma2.it
T12_08 – Exploring New Horizons: Integrating AI and Machine Learning Methods in Management Research
New methods originating in computer and information science are changing how management scholars do research. The pace of methodological advancements (e.g., large language models) has been staggering in recent years. Yet, researchers face challenges when incorporating these methods in research workflows. The issues of measurement, explainability, reliability and validity are crucial, but guidelines on implementing new methods are often lacking. This topic seeks to advance the use of novel Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Classic Text Analysis, Machine Learning (ML) and Bibliometric methods in management research. We seek contributions to methodological innovations and creative applications of existing methods.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Primary Contact:
Ivan Zupic, ivan.zupic@gmail.com
T01_06 / T06_09 / T12_09 / T13_09 – Action Research in Innovation Management and Management Sciences: Conceptual and Empirical Research Studies (co-sponsored B4S / INNO / RM RP/ SM SIGs)
Action Research (AR) provides a collaborative, cyclic method for helping organizations steer through today’s “high waters ” of geopolitical shocks, digital upheaval, and regulatory turbulence. AR converts propositional theories into participatory, context-specific learning. We invite conceptual, methodological, and empirical studies that use robust AR protocols to address exigent challenges like supply chain fractures, sustainability paradoxes, and workforce disruption while building agility and resilience for navigating in an unpredictable world. Submissions must specify transparent cycles of diagnosis, action, and reflection; integrate qualitative and digital-trace evidence; and articulate multilevel impact, thereby extending AR quality criteria and equipping managers to act decisively amid continual disruption.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 5: Gender equality; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Primary Contact:
Sylwia Sysko-Romanczuk, sylwia.sysko.romanczuk@pw.edu.pl