Critical Realism as a Third Lens to Distance in International Business and International Management Research
- Author(s)
- T. Ritvala, Maria Emmanouela Plakoyiannaki
- Abstract
This paper proposes a third approach to distance in international business and international management research to complement the predominant positivist and social constructivist approaches. On the basis of reflection upon claimed weaknesses of positivist distance measures (neglect of agency), and social constructivist reduction of social reality to agency (neglect of structure), a critical realist approach is proposed. An explanatory case study of the unsuccessful transfer of a consumer concept from Finland to the USA is used to illustrate how critical realism can benefit the field by discovering hidden structures generating distance. The study is based mainly on 32 interviews with managers and scientists from Finland and the USA. The paper contributes to the field by providing a contextual explanation of distance missing from the current debate. It is argued that critical realism is well suited for multidisciplinary and multilevel research efforts tackling the increased dynamics and complexities of modern societies.
- Organisation(s)
- External organisation(s)
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Publication date
- 07-2013
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 502016 SME-research, 502054 Entrepreneurship
- Keywords
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/critical-realism-as-a-third-lens-to-distance-in-international-business-and-international-management-research(e4feb6b7-9448-4c40-8c59-951e7af7f950).html