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 can all lead to opportunistic and counterproductive behavior. The purpose of this chapter is to explore how to undertake cross-disciplinary research that advances knowledge and understanding in the domain of business-to-business research. To achieve this purpose, we elaborate on the theorizing processes; we examine how to break cross-disciplinary boundaries; and we provide practical guidelines for undertaking cross-disciplinary research.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHow to Fast-track your Academic Career : A Guide for Mid-career Scholars
EditorsAdam Lindgreen, C. Anthony Di Benedetto
Number of pages11
Place of PublicationCheltenham
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Publication date2024
Edition2.
Pages97–107
Chapter6
ISBN (Print)9781035323913
ISBN (Electronic)9781035323920
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
SeriesHow To Guides

Keywords

  • Cross-disciplinary research
  • Interdisciplinary research
  • Functional silos

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