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A true competitive advantage? Reflections on different epistemological approaches to strategy research

Author

Listed:
  • Rodolphe Durand

    (GREGH - Groupement de Recherche et d'Etudes en Gestion à HEC - HEC Paris - Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Eero Vaara

Abstract

Traditionally, strategy scholars have paid too little attention to epistemological issues. To advance our understanding of these issues, we focus in this paper on the theory of truth underlying specific traditions in strategy research. We distinguish positivism, constructionism, scientific realism, and pragmatism as viable, but fundamentally different epistemological approaches. We argue that each of these approaches is based on a specific theory of truth. As a case in point, we concentrate on the notion of competitive advantage, and argue that each of the four approaches attributes a specific epistemological status to competitive advantage that should be taken seriously when conducting empirical research and interpreting research findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodolphe Durand & Eero Vaara, 2006. "A true competitive advantage? Reflections on different epistemological approaches to strategy research," Post-Print halshs-00125687, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00125687
    as

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