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 (2026-2027):
SIG Co-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
General Track Chairs:
Michael Schlaile (University of Hohenheim, Germany) – schlaile@uni-hohenheim.de
Florence Allard-Poesi (Université Paris-Est Créteil) – allard-poesi@u-pec.fr
Plenary Organizers:
David Yates (Sheffield University Management School, UK) – d.g.yates@sheffield.ac.uk
Matteo Cristofaro (Tor Vergata University of Rome) – matteo.cristofaro@uniroma2.it
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:
Michael Schlaile (Universität Hohenheim) – schlaile@uni-hohenheim.de
ST12_01 – Beyond the Metaphors: Coevolution and Ecosystems in Management
Short description:
“Coevolution” and “ecosystem” are widely used in management research 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, recent technological developments and related methodologies have made it tractable. This track 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
T01_07 / T02_05 / T03_08 / T10_ 05 / T11_05 / T12_ 03 / T13_10 Action Research in Management: Approaches for Greater Research Impact upon Practice (co-sponsored by B4S & CoGo & ENT & PO & PM&NPM & RP&RM & SM SIGs)
Short description:
Action Research (AR) provides a collaborative, cyclic method for helping organizations steer through today’s complexity of geopolitical shocks, digital upheaval, and regulatory turbulence. It moves iteratively between practice and theory, resonating with real impactful and phenomenon-driven research, and bridging academic knowledge with organizational practice. This track welcomes methodological contributions on rigorous AR design and evaluation, and practical contributions on AR research protocols organization. Aligned with the conference theme of “rising above,” the track explores how AR addresses grand challenges for improved articulation between management sciences and practice for a greater impact on society.
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
For more information contact:
Miriana Ferrara , University of Salerno, mferrara@unisa.it
T12_ 04 Management History, Theory, and Philosophy
Short description:
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 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities;Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions;Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Matteo Cristofaro , University of Rome Tor Vergata, matteo.cristofaro@uniroma2.it
T12_ 05 Qualitative Restudies: Retheorizing Organizations in a Changing World
Short description:
We invite submissions that are qualitative restudies: empirical studies designed for systematic comparison with the data, findings and field setting of a prior study. Building on the four restudy designs of Köhler, Rumyantseva and Welch (2025) – reanalysis, revisit, revision and repurposing – we seek contributions that return to established cases and theories to ask what has changed, and why our earlier conclusions may no longer hold. It speaks directly to the conference theme by treating restudies as a route to more relevant theory and is directly connected to a call for papers in Organization Studies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
For more information contact:
Stephanie Decker , University of Birmingham, s.decker@bham.ac.uk
T12_ 06 Tourism research and practice: trends and transitions
Short description:
Tourism research and practice urgently need to reimagine how firms and destinations can be managed to reshape the sector toward regenerative, just, and sustainable futures in the face of escalating ecological crises, social inequalities, geopolitical instability, and rapid technological change. Rethinking tourism management for our common future requires innovating business models, consumption, and lifestyles, affecting tourism organisations and their relationships with stakeholders. The urgency of this transformation is underscored by limited progress towards the SDGs, with only 35% of targets met. To advance this agenda, multiple research methods can be adopted, and practical examples investigated across 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
For more information contact:
Silvia Baiocco , University of Rome Tor Vergata, silvia.baiocco@uniroma2.it
T12_ 07 Performance Management: research methods and research practice
Short description:
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
For more information contact:
Ivo Hristov , University of L’Aquila, hristov@economia.uniroma2.it