Not Even Trying to Change the World: Why Do Elite Management Journals Ignore the Major Problems Facing Humanity?

Harley, B; Fleming, P

Not Even Trying to Change the World: Why Do Elite Management Journals Ignore the Major Problems Facing Humanity?

Harley, B Fleming, P

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Publisher:: SAGE Publications
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 2021, 57, (2), pp. 133-152
Issue Date:: 2021-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Harley, B
dc.contributor.author	Fleming, P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6838-7190
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-21T22:42:32Z
dc.date.available	2021-12-21T22:42:32Z
dc.date.issued	2021-03-01
dc.identifier.citation	The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 2021, 57, (2), pp. 133-152
dc.identifier.issn	0021-8863
dc.identifier.issn	1552-6879
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152454
dc.description.abstract	Social scientists have long been concerned with using their research to make the world a better place and there are frequently calls within the management studies community for research which does so. In this essay, we consider the extent to which such concerns and calls are reflected in what is published in elite management journals. We coded approximately 5,500 articles published in “top-tier” management journals between 2008 and 2018 and found that only 2.8% of articles critically addressed global “grand challenges”—such as inequality, climate change, racism, and gender discrimination. This essay explores the possible reasons why. We reject the explanation that management academics are uninterested in major problems facing the world. Our argument instead focuses on the relationship between business school practices and journal norms. We term this the business school/elite journal gridlock. To break the gridlock, a number of changes are recommended.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	SAGE Publications
dc.relation.ispartof	The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/0021886321997189
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1503 Business and Management, 1701 Psychology, 1702 Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Business & Management
dc.title	Not Even Trying to Change the World: Why Do Elite Management Journals Ignore the Major Problems Facing Humanity?
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	57
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-12-21T22:42:31Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	57
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Social scientists have long been concerned with using their research to make the world a better place and there are frequently calls within the management studies community for research which does so. In this essay, we consider the extent to which such concerns and calls are reflected in what is published in elite management journals. We coded approximately 5,500 articles published in “top-tier” management journals between 2008 and 2018 and found that only 2.8% of articles critically addressed global “grand challenges”—such as inequality, climate change, racism, and gender discrimination. This essay explores the possible reasons why. We reject the explanation that management academics are uninterested in major problems facing the world. Our argument instead focuses on the relationship between business school practices and journal norms. We term this the business school/elite journal gridlock. To break the gridlock, a number of changes are recommended.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152454