C-level leaders need to be more aware of the rigor and validity of management studies, according to Strategy+Business.
The report cites Dennis Tourish, the author of Management Studies in Crisis: Fraud, Deception and Meaningless Research, who wrote, "It has … become evident that various forms of research malpractice are common in our field." He believes the field is too full of research based on faulty data and poor statistical analysis, or oversimplified conclusions. It particular, he denounces popular management concepts like authentic leadership theory and evidence-based management theory.
While Strategy+Business suggests not all management research needs to be tossed out, leaders simply need to be more critical. It suggests leaders take a more critical look at studies, cutting away jargon and zeroing in on the design and findings. It also cautions leaders to look out for "p-hacking," when researchers selectively present data that appear statistically significant.
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