Using a ‘lens’ to re-search business markets, relationships and networks: Tensions, challenges and possibilities

Ojansivu, Ilkka; Medlin, Christopher J.; Andersen, Poul Houman; Kim, Woonho

doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2021.10.008

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 180 publications

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“…Of course, this is easier said than done, as scholars are often limited by the narrow mindset of the research strands and communities they affiliate themselves with. Scholars need to “break out” from their research communities to experience new perspectives and mindsets, and then they need to “break [back] in” to the same communities to introduce their novel ideas without facing epistemic backlash (Ojansivu et al , 2022). It is essential to learn from other research communities and disciplines by cross-fertilizing ideas, exploring different viewpoints (including those of practitioners, consultants and educators), and maintaining an open mind to avoid becoming too confined.…”

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elo et al , 2015; Ivanova-Gongne, 2015; Ivanova-Gongne and Törnroos, 2017; Ivanova and Torkkeli, 2013; Ojansivu and Medlin, 2018) and even the concept of a business relationship (Hadjikhani and LaPlaca, 2013; La Rocca, 2013). In recent times, questions pertaining to ontology and metatheory have gained prominence (Lowe and Tapachai, 2021; Medlin, 2022; Ojansivu et al , 2020, 2022), prompting B2B scholars to critically examine their roots and collective heritage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Editorial: Business-to-business marketing: imagining something different

Ojansivu,

Purchase,

Medlin

2024

JBIM

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Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial: Business-to-business marketing: imagining something different

Ojansivu,

Purchase,

Medlin

2024

JBIM

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“…The selected theoretical approach or research lens determines the ontological assumptions we adhere to and, consequently, the type of knowledge we construct of business marketing phenomena (Hadjikhani and LaPlaca, 2013; Peters et al , 2013). However, selected research lenses necessarily highlight one aspect while ignoring the others (Ojansivu et al , 2022). Accordingly, we argue that the extensive use of sensemaking and organizational process approaches has unnecessarily restricted our view to managers’ present perceptions and actions, ignoring an explicit future orientation.…”

Section: Theoretical Myopia As a Barrier To Future Orientationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time to look forward: advocating future orientation in business network research

Halinen¹,

Nordberg-Davies²,

Möller³

2023

JBIM

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Purpose Future is rarely explicitly addressed or problematized in business network research. This study aims to examine the possibilities of developing a business actor’s future orientation to network studies and imports ideas and concepts from futures research to support the development. Design/methodology/approach The study is conceptual and interdisciplinary. The authors critically analyze how extant studies grounded in the sensemaking view and process research approach integrate future time and how theoretical myopia hinders the adoption of a future orientation. Findings The prevailing future perspective is restricted to managers’ perceptions and actions at present, ignoring the anticipation and exploration of alternative longer-term futures. Future time is generally conceived as embedded in managers’ cognitive processes or is seen as part of the ongoing interaction, where the time horizon to the future is not noticed or is at best short. Research limitations/implications To enable a forward-looking perspective, researchers should move the focus from expectation building in business interaction to purposeful preparation of alternative future(s) and from the view of seeing future as enacted in the present to envisioning of both near-term and more distant futures. Practical implications This study addresses the growing need of business actors to anticipate future developments in the rapidly changing market conditions and to innovate and change business practices to save the planet for future generations. Originality/value This study elaborates on actors’ future orientation to business markets and networks, proposes the integration of network research concepts with concepts from futures studies and poses new types of research questions for future research.

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“…In addition, two recent papers highlight the importance of not getting stuck by too strong coherence and conceptual agreement as a research community. Firstly, Ojansivu et al (2022) argue that research communities over time need to adjust their "lenses", take in new viewpoints and develop different understandings. As finding socially relevant and interesting research questions is a key concern for a research community, the authors identify a contradiction: [.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[…] while a lens becomes more interesting, relevant and able to draw in more researchers, it turns the research community increasingly rigid, harder to access, and easier to criticize, attack and stain politically […] (Ojansivu et al , 2022, p. 57).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No concept is an island: conceptualising (in) the industrial network approach

Dubois

Hedvall

Sundquist

2023

JBIM

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to inquire into how conceptualising is done in the industrial network approach (INA). Design/methodology/approach The description and analysis of conceptualising is based on key INA references and an example illustrating the characteristics of conceptualising in individual studies. Findings The paper concludes that there is an open and interactive way of conceptualising in the INA. The empirical and theoretical grounding achieved through combining concepts in individual empirical studies interplays with conceptual development in the research community over time. Research limitations/implications Three paradoxes are suggested for further discussion of conceptualising as a key element in theorising in the INA community. Originality/value By explicating how INA researchers engage in conceptualising both in individual empirical studies and as a community, the authors identify characteristics similar to the empirical phenomena in focus of the research: interaction, combining and heterogeneity of concepts.

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Using a ‘lens’ to re-search business markets, relationships and networks: Tensions, challenges and possibilities

Cited by 14 publications

References 180 publications

Editorial: Business-to-business marketing: imagining something different

Editorial: Business-to-business marketing: imagining something different

Time to look forward: advocating future orientation in business network research

No concept is an island: conceptualising (in) the industrial network approach

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