Looking backwards to move forwards? Reviewing the possibilities of retroduction as a contemporary approach to researching strategy

MacKay, David (2013) Looking backwards to move forwards? Reviewing the possibilities of retroduction as a contemporary approach to researching strategy. In: Strategic Management Society Special Conference, 2013-06-20 - 2013-06-22.

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Abstract

This proposal suggests that retroduction represents an under-utilised but potentially potent and “Academics, Business and Consultants” (ABC) inclusive mode of reasoning for approaching contemporary strategy research. Retroductive approaches to researching strategy are argued to have potential to generate explanations which might underpin the proposal of ‘theory as elucidation’ engage ABCs in a mutually respectful and advantageous investigative process without compromising the potential for generation of outcomes according to the needs of each; and complement and catalyse extant, dominant deductive and inductive strategy research approaches. On this basis retroduction is nominated as a means by which to start addressing the much lamented gap between strategy theory and practice