Group Methods

This chapter provides a typology for thinking critically about group methods and their use(s) within business and management research. Disciplinary based literature has concerned itself primarily with the practice of the method, affording little attention to the diverse knowledge-constituting assumptions that can underpin its use. I argue that group methods can serve the interests of researchers from a variety of philosophical traditions, but understanding the practical implications of this variability is crucial to appropriate and effective use of group work from any given philosophical stance. It is hoped that this chapter can go some way towards developing the practice of group methods within the business and management domain through enhancing researchers’ awareness of the relationship of philosophical issues to the design and application of the method itself. The chapter thus aims to provide students and researchers with new ways of conceiving group methods by locating discussions of group design, conduct and analysis in prevailing philosophical traditions within business and management research.