Discussion: View Thread

Journal of Management Studies Announcement

🚨 Call for Papers: Special Issue: How Methods Can Advance Theory in Management Research 🚨

While methods have traditionally been seen as tools for testing theory, this Special Issue challenges scholars to consider how methodological innovation can drive theoretical development, enabling us to ask new questions, uncover hidden mechanisms, and respond to rapidly evolving organizational and societal contexts.

We invite contributions that:

✅ Offer originality in methods and theorizing
✅ Explore new or underutilized methodological approaches (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods)
✅ Highlight new tools, designs, or technologies with strong theoretical implications
✅ Reinvigorate established theoretical bodies through innovative methodological lenses
✅ Address critical challenges around validity, transparency, and theory generalization

Proposal deadline: 30 April 2026
Full paper deadline: 31 January 2027
Expected publication: Late 2028

🔎 Guest Editors (in alphabetical order):
• Donald Bergh, University of Denver, USA
• Marylène Gagné, Curtin University, Australia
• Pursey Heugens, Rotterdam School of Management, The Netherlands
• David Ketchen, Auburn University, USA
• Jane Lê, WHU, Germany

📄 JMS Editor:
• Brian Boyd, University of Northern Arizona, USA

Authors are invited to submit a short proposal (max 5 pages, single-spaced) outlining the topic, methodological contribution, and theoretical implications.

Selected proposals will be invited to develop full papers following the JMS double-blind review process.

We will also hold an online information session on 1 February 2026, and paper development workshops at the Academy of Management and British Academy of Management conferences in 2026 (details forthcoming).

👉 For full details and submission guidelines, please visit: https://bit.ly/4knmwPI

We look forward to your contributions!