Research on Grand Challenges: Adopting an Abductive Experimentation Methodology

Area of Science:

• Management Science
• Organizational Studies
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Growing scholarly interest in researching 'grand challenges'.
• Lack of methodological guidance for studying complex, uncertain phenomena.
• Need for unconventional research approaches in management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel methodological approach for grand challenge research.
• To provide guidance on studying complex phenomena in management.
• To bridge the gap between theory and practice in scholarly inquiry.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of 'abductive experimentation' as a research approach.
• An action-oriented inquiry process cycling between doubt and belief.
• Iterative application of induction, abduction, and deduction.

Main Results:

• Abductive experimentation facilitates the generation and reconciliation of surprising findings.
• The method helps uncover and validate causal mechanisms in complex settings.
• Demonstrated utility through decade-long grand challenge projects.

Conclusions:

• Abductive experimentation is well-suited for studying grand challenges.
• The approach offers a roadmap for integrating theory and practice.
• Provides a framework for more effective management research.