The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the rhetoric used to promote enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which are complex organisation-wide software…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the rhetoric used to promote enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which are complex organisation-wide software packages inherently connected to the domains of management and organisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a post-essentialist view on ERP systems and takes the form of a rhetorical analysis. Engaging in rhetorical scholarship in the area of technological change and management fashion literatures, this paper offers a close reading of a management text on ERP systems by Thomas H. Davenport published in 1998 in the Harvard Business Review.
Findings
The rhetorical analysis distinguishes and identifies three rhetorical strategies – namely, rationalisation, theorisation and contradiction – used to promote ERP systems and thus involved in the construction of the phenomenon revolving around ERP systems.
Originality/value
In spite of the importance of the rhetorical analysis of information technology in the context in which they operate, this paper argues that constructions of ERP systems should also be analysed beyond organisation-specific considerations. It further suggests that both researchers and practitioners should take seriously the rhetoric invoked by the well-known management writer that may easily go unnoticed.
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Catherine Cassell, Anna Buehring, Gillian Symon and Phil Johnson
The purpose of the paper is to introduce the themed issue about qualitative research in the business and management field
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to introduce the themed issue about qualitative research in the business and management field
Design/methodology/approach
The paper considers some issues about how to define the term “qualitative research”, and then introduces each of the papers in the themed issue.
Findings
The contents of this themed issue demonstrate the insights that qualitative research can make into the management field.
Originality/value
A large amount of interest was generated in the themed issue. As a consequence, Emerald Publishing Group are launching a new journal which specifically focuses on qualitative research in this field.
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Catherine Cassell, Gillian Symon, Anna Buehring and Phil Johnson
The purpose of this paper is to present a piece of empirical work that investigates the current role and status of qualitative research within the management field.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a piece of empirical work that investigates the current role and status of qualitative research within the management field.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on 45 in‐depth qualitative interviews with members of a range of different stakeholder groups, including: journal editors; qualitative researchers; Doctoral Programme Leaders; practitioners; and those who fund qualitative management research.
Findings
The findings suggest that there is considerable variety in definitions of qualitative research; that there are still a number of issues surrounding the status and credibility of qualitative research within the field; and there is a need for greater access to researcher training in this area.
Practical implications
The paper is of practical interest to qualitative researchers in that it details some of the issues surrounding publishing qualitative work.
Originality/value
The paper presents original empirical work in this field.
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Catherine Cassell and Gillian Symon
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the new journal and outline the rationale and aims and objectives of Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the new journal and outline the rationale and aims and objectives of Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal (QROM).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper considers why there is a necessity for a journal like QROM, outlines the scope of the new journal, and introduces the articles in the first issue. An invitation for further contributions to the journal is also given.
Findings
There is still a need for an outlet that both provides a showcase for the diverse range of qualitative techniques in use and promotes high quality qualitative research.
Originality/value
This paper is of use to those new readers of the journal, and those who wish to submit to the journal, in that it clearly outlines editorial policy and processes.
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In this chapter, I explore traditional notions of secondary data in qualitative research and consider the ways in which these are continually being reimagined in the digital age…
Abstract
In this chapter, I explore traditional notions of secondary data in qualitative research and consider the ways in which these are continually being reimagined in the digital age. I situate this discussion in respect to data typologies and, more reflexively, in relation to our need as researchers to make data real. I consider contemporary understandings of reuse in relation to secondary data, focusing particularly on qualitative interview data. Recognizing those who are already forging a path, I then suggest how we might move beyond notions of reuse and reimagine secondary data in the digital age. To illustrate these points, I highlight relevant studies drawing data from a range of online spaces, and finally summarize key considerations and challenges.