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Abstract

This article uses conversational processes to advance idea development related to researching socially disapproved organizational behavior (SDOB). Ideas are grounded both in the authors' individual experiences researching such “tainted topics” and in insights that emerged through conversation about their research process related to SDOB. The transcript from their conversation reveals five common themes cutting across all three researchers' experiences with SDOB: the personal connection of the researcher to the research, difficulties associated with gaining access to organizations and/or informants, the relevance of insider status of the researcher, personal dilemmas common to this type of work, and the distinctive contribution of SDOB research to organization studies.

Keywords

research methods socially disapproved behaviors illegal behaviors clandestine behaviors

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References

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Talking Tainted Topics

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