Abstract
Purpose
This paper is a viewpoint and its objective is to discuss questionable research practices in business research, particularly in the logistics and supply chain management discipline, in light of antecedents influenced by the current academic environment and the consequences for academic rigour and relevance in order to stimulate thinking and debate among the academic community.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and autoethnographic approach were used to examine these issues based on over sixty years’ collective academic experience of the authors. Data was collected from discussions among the paper’s authors as well as recounting open discussions with other academics and journal editors to collate their observations.
Findings
Evidence is provided of issues the authors have seen first-hand where antecedents in the academic environment influences questionable research practices, which then detrimentally affect research rigour and relevance, integrity and proper contributions to ground-breaking research and knowledge advancement.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is based on personal observations and experiences of the three authors as well as open-ended discussions with others in the academic
community. Suggestions are provided for various academic stakeholders to address these issues.
Practical implications
Practical implications are only provided for academics in their roles as authors, journal editors and reviewers.
Social implications
Encouraging the academic community to eliminate questionable research practices to improve the rigour, relevance and quality of research will provide more credibility and integrity resulting in better impact and outcomes for society at large.
Originality/value
The value of this paper is in stimulating thinking and debate amongst academics to return to core issues and values in academia opposed to focusing on narrow university goals focussed on other antecedents of questionable research practices.
This paper is a viewpoint and its objective is to discuss questionable research practices in business research, particularly in the logistics and supply chain management discipline, in light of antecedents influenced by the current academic environment and the consequences for academic rigour and relevance in order to stimulate thinking and debate among the academic community.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and autoethnographic approach were used to examine these issues based on over sixty years’ collective academic experience of the authors. Data was collected from discussions among the paper’s authors as well as recounting open discussions with other academics and journal editors to collate their observations.
Findings
Evidence is provided of issues the authors have seen first-hand where antecedents in the academic environment influences questionable research practices, which then detrimentally affect research rigour and relevance, integrity and proper contributions to ground-breaking research and knowledge advancement.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is based on personal observations and experiences of the three authors as well as open-ended discussions with others in the academic
community. Suggestions are provided for various academic stakeholders to address these issues.
Practical implications
Practical implications are only provided for academics in their roles as authors, journal editors and reviewers.
Social implications
Encouraging the academic community to eliminate questionable research practices to improve the rigour, relevance and quality of research will provide more credibility and integrity resulting in better impact and outcomes for society at large.
Originality/value
The value of this paper is in stimulating thinking and debate amongst academics to return to core issues and values in academia opposed to focusing on narrow university goals focussed on other antecedents of questionable research practices.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed scientific journal | European Business Review |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 101-127 |
| ISSN | 0955-534X |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article - refereed |
Keywords
- 512 Business and Management
- Academia
- Research
- Rigor
- Relevance
- Questionable Research Practices
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Areas of Strength and Areas of High Potential (AoS and AoHP)
- AoHP: Humanitarian and societal logistics
