Work

Cultivating and embracing plurality in abductive inquiries within strategy research

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Abduction offers a mode of scientific inquiry that focuses on formulating explanations for unexplained phenomena. By building a bridge between philosophy of science and strategic management research, this article offers a pluralistic view of abduction, highlighting abductive triggers as the starting point in seeking explanations and the essential role of both creative and selective abduction in formulating explanations. Additionally, this article provides practical guidance for the design, execution, and evaluation of abductive research, including the usefulness of abduction for studies not designed as abductive. We offer orienting considerations about abduction's steps and elements, illustrate with examples, and outline potential missteps. Abduction does not lend itself to a fixed template, and we aim to lower the barriers to using abduction in strategic management research.

Source: Strategic Management Journal

DOI: 10.1002/smj.70120

Authors: Prithwiraj Choudhury, Mahka Moeen, Audra Wormald

Institutions: London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Business Strategies and Management Research

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250

Funder: Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation