Strategic Management Review > Vol 3 > Issue 1

Restoring a Taste for Science: Enhancing Strategic Management Knowledge by Changing the Governance of Academic Journals

Rudi K. F. Bresser, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, rudi.bresser@fu-berlin.de , David B. Balkin, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA, david.balkin@colorado.edu
 
Suggested Citation
Rudi K. F. Bresser and David B. Balkin (2022), "Restoring a Taste for Science: Enhancing Strategic Management Knowledge by Changing the Governance of Academic Journals", Strategic Management Review: Vol. 3: No. 1, pp 67-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/111.00000037

Publication Date: 07 Feb 2022
© 2022 now Publishers, Inc.
 
Subjects
Research methodology in strategic management
 
Keywords
Academic governancepublishing processopen accessopen evaluation
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
University Faculty and their Interests 
The Scientific Community of Strategic Management Scholars and their Interests 
Broader Society and the Interest in Improved Strategic Decision-Making 
The Alternative Governance System of Academic Publishing 
Discussion 
Conclusion 
References 

Abstract

Too many strategic management scholars may have lost their passion for research or what Robert Merton has defined as the 'taste for science.' A lack of passion curtails the pursuit of original, creative research, and the knowledge generated often may be of questionable value for the field's advancement and business practices. We argue that the reduction of a scholar's passion for research and an insufficient generation of meaningful knowledge are influenced by a flawed academic governance system. The current governance system of our academic journals and universities undermines attaining the legitimate interests of individual faculty, the scientific community, and broader society. To resolve this situation, we propose a new governance system based on open access and open evaluation. We demonstrate how this alternative system can meet the interests of its stakeholders, encourage more meaningful research and knowledge, and restore a scholar's 'taste for science.'

DOI:10.1561/111.00000037