Pre-understandings as an idea enabler in research – 18 Sept 2019

About the seminar

Although pre-understanding – our presuppositions of reality – underlies all research, there are few signs of it being explicitly and actively used in organization studies. Instead, researchers seem to draw on established theory, data and the process of linking these in research. We propose that pre-understanding can be of significant value – an enabler – in research, particularly in generating and developing novel ideas. We elaborate a methodological framework for actively and systematically using pre-understanding in research. We point at ways in which pre-understanding can enrich research during various stages in the research process, including broadening the empirical base and sources of inspiration, and evaluating what empirical material and theoretical ideas are interesting and relevant to pursue. 

This seminar was held in collaboration with the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.