Retroduction: an alternative research strategy?

Understanding the Why, What, and How of Theories in IS Research

“…Retroductive reasoning can be seen as a way to reconcile the deductive-inductive dichotomy; it seeks to overcome the challenges of merely inductive or deductive processes: Induction assumes the existence of data that are not theory-laden (Alvesson and Sköldberg 1994), while deduction implies that theories removed from data are possible (Saether 1998). Retroduction strongly emphasizes the interplay between the two.…”

The Need for a Whole Life Framework in Electrical Power System Asset Management and the Problems with Individual Silo like Asset Management System Contributions

“…Other asset focused elements such as planning [11]; asset condition and life assessment [12]; renewal/replacement [13]; outsourcing maintenance or contracts [14]; predictive plant maintenance [15]; performance strategy and performance management and measurements; information management amongst others. In large these asset management contributions are mostly conducted in specific asset related activities rather than a wider more enterprise and entire life-cycle systems approach [14][15][16].…”

Motivation and the academic – where the drivers sit

“…Although there is a large literature base on the subject of motivation, there is little for academics in the UK, therefore the research is theory building (in the context that it aims to develop an applied approach to the world of academia, rather than adopting a holistic overview) rather than theory testing (Easterby-Smith et al, 2012). That said Saether (1999) would argue that the process is not pure inductive but is rather retroductive as elements of theory does exist but perhaps not in the context of the study focus. Johnston (2014) places significant emphasis on the role of theory in ensuring rigour in the research process.…”