How to do relevant research: from the ivory tower to the real world

Abstract

In academia, the idea of theory for the sake of theory can often prevail. Management and organizational research may be conducted without practical application and the constraints of reality in mind. Theories abound, but these can be challenging to translate to the actual day-to-day operations of an organization. How to Do Relevant Research: From the Ivory Tower to the Real World offers a solution for bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. Written with the intention of advocating for and guiding relevant scholarship, the authors frame the work around the idea of "sweet-spot" research: research that sits at the intersection of theory and application. The backgrounds of the authors; an organizational psychologist, an organizational design researcher, and a management research professor; are evident from the way that the work clearly draws on their own unique experiences and areas of expertise in order to advocate for relevant and rigorous research practices.