OM Forum—Practice-Based Research in Operations Management: What It Is, Why Do It, Related Challenges, and How to Overcome Them

Abstract

P ractice-based research-research performed with the intent of improving the operation of a collaborating practitioner-is an important endeavor for our field: such work may reveal new problems, interesting phenomena, and may also generate data, educational material, and solutions to important practical problems. We argue that the practical relevance of any operations management (OM) research is driven by the two dimensions of generalizability and validity, which together offer a framework for contrasting the potential strengths and weaknesses of theory-based and practice-based research. We review challenges and strategies for successfully engaging in practice-based research, including: choosing a good problem; establishing and managing a relationship with a practitioner; validation; and impact estimation. Finally, we discuss possible ways to encourage more practice-based research in OM. In particular, we argue that our field should, in general, put more emphasis on research validity.

Strategy and organization research in operations management

“…Based on the definition of rigor presented above, and consistent with similar observations made by Toffel (2016), Gallien et al (2016), andVan Mieghem (2013), we believe there is no compromise between rigor and relevance. However, to make a contribution, research must not only be rigorous in the above-defined sense but have findings that further the field's understanding of the phenomenon under study (Davis, 2015).…”

Enhancing the Practical Relevance of Research

“…The need for research to become more relevant continues to be voiced about research in international management (e.g., Panda and Gupta ), operations management (e.g., Gallien et al. ), and decision support systems (Vizecky and El‐Gayar ). In 2014, New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote: “The most stinging dismissal of a point is to say: ‘That's academic.’ In other words, to be a scholar is, often, to be irrelevant” (Brooks ).…”

OM Forum—Three Simple Approaches for Young Scholars to Identify Relevant and Novel Research Topics in Operations Management

“…In recognition of many new areas, many editors of OM journals aspire to publish more novel and relevant OM research papers (Gallien et al 2016). At the same time, based on my interactions with many Ph.D. students and young scholars in various countries over the last 10 years, I have learned from them that they are inspired to work on important, timely, and relevant OM research problems; they all want to work on "good" research topics that address issues that are of practical relevance but not adequately dealt with in the literature (Porteus 2002).…”