Generativity as a heuristic for impact-driven scholars addressing grand challenges.

Area of Science:

• Management Science
• Sustainability Research
• Organizational Studies

Background:

• Management scholars face increasing pressure to address complex global issues ('grand challenges').
• Existing research frameworks may not adequately support impact-driven scholarship for societal benefit.
• Generativity offers a novel lens for conceptualizing research that fosters future flourishing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theorize generativity as a heuristic for impact-driven management research.
• To provide practical tenets for researchers addressing grand challenges.
• To foster collective learning and transformative change in academic inquiry.

Main Methods:

• Pragmatist philosophical worldview.
• Synthesis of multidisciplinary literature on generativity.
• Development of four guiding tenets for researchers.
• Illustration through a transdisciplinary research project on climate action in SMEs.

Main Results:

• Generativity involves diverse actors in pluralistic inquiry for future flourishing.
• Four tenets (diversify inputs, distribute agency, conduct experiments, pursue prospective impacts) support research impact.
• The framework was applied to a Canadian transdisciplinary project on SME climate action.
• Generativity promotes inclusive understanding and action-oriented approaches to grand challenges.

Conclusions:

• Generativity provides a robust framework for management scholars to create impactful research.
• The four tenets offer practical guidance for researchers aiming for academic and societal relevance.
• This approach fosters an optimistic and action-oriented stance toward addressing critical social and environmental issues.