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Paradox Research in Management Science: Looking Back to Move Forward

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Schad, Jonathan, Lewis, Marianne W., Raisch, Sebastian, Smith, Wendy K.·2016·Academy of Management Annals
DOI 10.5465/19416520.2016.1162422
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Abstract

Paradox studies offer vital and timely insights into an array of organizational tensions. Yet this field stands at a critical juncture. Over the past 25 years, management scholars have drawn foundational insights from philosophy and psychology to apply a paradox lens to organizational phenomena. Yet extant studies selectively leverage ancient wisdom, adopting some key insights while abandoning others. Using a structured content analysis to review the burgeoning management literature, we surface six key themes, which represent the building blocks of a meta-theory of paradox. These six themes received varying attention in extant studies: paradox scholars emphasize types of paradoxes, collective approaches, and outcomes, but pay less attention to relationships within paradoxes, individual approaches, and dynamics. As this analysis suggests, management scholars have increasingly simplified the intricate, often messy phenomena of paradox. Greater simplicity renders phenomena understandable and testable, however, oversimplifying complex realities can foster reductionist and incomplete theories. We therefore propose a future research agenda targeted at enriching a meta-theory of paradox by reengaging these less developed themes. Doing so can sharpen the focus of this field, while revisiting its rich conceptual roots to capture the intricacies of paradox. This future research agenda leverages the potential of paradox across diverse streams of management science.

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Metadata

Authors
Schad, J., Lewis, M. W., Raisch, S., & Smith, W. K.
Affiliations
University of Geneva (CH)
ORCID
Venue
Academy of Management Annals
Publisher
Academy of Management
Published
2016-01
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
5-64
ISSN
  • 1941-6067 (ISSN-L)
  • 1941-6520
DOI
10.5465/19416520.2016.1162422
OpenAlex
W4247573850
Cited by
1,385
References
301
Citations by year
2026: 199 · 2025: 194 · 2024: 160 · 2023: 145 · 2022: 144 · 2021: 175 · 2020: 121 · 2019: 104 · 2018: 72 · 2017: 56 · 2016: 15
FWCI
159.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Academy of Management Annals (publishedVersion)
  • Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (publishedVersion)
  • City Research Online (City University London) (acceptedVersion)
  • Library, Museums and Press - UDSpace (University of Delaware) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Archive ouverte UNIGE (University of Geneva) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management Theory and Practice
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Innovation and Knowledge Management
Keywords
paradox theory, organizational tensions, ancient wisdom, future research agenda

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