Holding a Mirror to Management Research

Abstract

The authors previously suggested a new, more collaborative and constructive approach to the research process, termed the research advisory board (RAB). Here, the authors further develop this approach, focusing on five concerns about RABs raised by Hitt in his recent commentary on the state of academic research in management and organization. In particular, the authors (a) expand on their discussion of forms, structures, and governances of RABs; (b) contend that regulation of RABs would be unfortunate and disturbing; (c) argue that RABs could be important catalysts for creativity; (d) suggest that RABs could serve as checks on elitism; and (e) emphasize that RABs are envisioned as a voluntary form that could be accessed as desired, even by those seeking to disseminate unpopular or extrerme ideas.