Reconciling the rigor-relevance dilemma in intellectual capital research

Author: Andriessen, Daniel

Source: The Learning Organization: An International Journal, Volume 11, Numbers 4-5, 2004 , pp. 393-401(9)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

This paper raises the issue of research methodology for intellectual capital and other types of management research by focusing on the dilemma of rigour versus relevance. The more traditional explanatory approach to research often leads to rigorous results that are not of much help to solve practical problems. This paper describes an alternative approach of practicing intellectual capital research as a design science. This approach is equally scientific but is able to develop management methods that helps to solve organisational problems. This paper shows strengths and weaknesses of both the approaches and concludes that combining both within the intellectual capital research community can help to reconcile the dilemma of rigour versus relevance.

Keywords: Intellectual capital; Management research; Research methods

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09696470410538288

Publication date: 2004-08-01