“Academic” can be defined as relating to the scholarly study of a subject. In management, academic research is often used to generate new theories and concepts that can be applied in practice. By conducting academic research, management scholars contribute to the body of knowledge that can be used by practitioners to improve their organizations.
Academic research in management typically uses quantitative or qualitative methods to examine phenomena of interest. Management scholars use empirical research to test hypotheses and build theories. Theories generated by academic research can be used to improve management practice. For example, the theory of goal setting can be used to help managers set more effective goals for their organizations. Similarly, the theory of stakeholder management can be used to help managers better understand and manage the interests of key stakeholders.
Management scholars also conduct qualitative research, which can provide insights into management phenomena that cannot be captured through quantitative methods. For example, qualitative research can be used to understand how managers make decisions or how they experience work-related stress. Qualitative data can also be used to generate new hypotheses that can be tested through quantitative research.