Title: Phenomenology as a method for exploring management practice

Authors: Paschal Anosike; Lisa Catherine Ehrich; Pervaiz Ahmed

Addresses: University of Wolverhampton Business School, Nursery Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1AD, UK. ' School of Learning & Professional Studies, Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia. ' School of Business, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Abstract: Phenomenology is a term that has been described as a philosophy, a research paradigm, a methodology and equated with qualitative research. In this paper first we clarify phenomenology by tracing its movement both as a philosophy and as a research method. Next we make a case for the use of phenomenology in empirical investigations of management phenomena. The paper discusses a selection of central concepts pertaining to phenomenology as a scientific research method, which include description, phenomenological reduction and free imaginative variation. In particular, the paper elucidates the efficacy of Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological research praxis as a qualitative research method and how its utility can be applied in creating a deeper and richer understanding of management practice.

Keywords: descriptive phenomenology; management research; education management; internal marketing; philosophy; research paradigms; methodologies; qualitative research; research methods; empirical investigations; management phenomena; scientific research; descriptions; phenomenological reduction; free variations; imaginative variations; Amedeo Giorgi; research praxis; phenomenological research; descriptive research; management practice.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2012.048073

International Journal of Management Practice, 2012 Vol.5 No.3, pp.205 - 224

Published online: 19 Jul 2012 *

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