Undertaking Cross-disciplinary Research

Adam Lindgreen, C. Anthony Di Benedetto, Roderick J. Brodie, Michel Van der Borgh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

As an applied social science, business-to-business research is inherently cross-disciplinary. The general theories that provide insight into business relationships, systems, and markets have disciplinary foundations in the economics, psychology, sociology, and management disciplines. When conducting cross-disciplinary research, academic researchers, like their counterparts in industry, must overcome functional silos. Depending on the type of research challenge, a multi-disciplinary approach may be required; however, differences in incentives, culture, terminology and jargon, and so forth all can lead to opportunistic and counterproductive behavior. This chapter explores how to undertake cross-disciplinary research that advances knowledge and understanding in the domain of business-to-business research. To achieve this purpose, the authors elaborate on the theorizing processes; they examine how to break cross-disciplinary boundaries; and they provide practical guidelines for undertaking cross-disciplinary research.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHow to Lead Academic Departments Successfully
EditorsAdam Lindgreen, Alan Irwin, Flemming Poulfelt, Thyra Uth Thomsen
Number of pages9
Place of PublicationCheltenham
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Publication date2021
Pages275-283
Chapter19
ISBN (Print)9781789907148
ISBN (Electronic)9781789907155
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
SeriesHow To Guides

Cite this