Humanities and Arts
On history, business, and management: a review of the literature and research agenda
Ítalo Silva,
Ítalo Silva
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernanbuco, Brazil.
Elisabeth Santos
Elisabeth Santos
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernanbuco, Brazil.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on business history and management history in specialized journals in the area. Design/methodology/approach – We conducted a systematic review of the literature in the journals: Business History, Business History Review, Journal of Management History, and Management & Organizational History, between 2011 and 2020. In all, we analyzed 231 articles using the open, axial coding technique, and selective. Findings – We answered two central analytical questions about the researchers' theoretical-methodological choices and summarized the results in six research lines. Historiographic approaches are presented from the epistemologies, theories, methods, contributions, limitations, and research problems chosen by the researchers in their articles. Originality/value (mandatory) – The article is contributory when it assumes the central premise that the understanding of the researchers' theoretical-methodological decisions results in the historiographic approaches adopted in business and management research. Also, we offer a research agenda concerned with problems about (1) marginal empirical contexts, (2) the comparative approach to history; and (3) the perception of the past as a historical narrative.
Key Questions
What is the purpose of the article?
The purpose of the article is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on business history and management history in specialized journals within the field. The review aims to analyze the theoretical-methodological choices made by researchers and to identify key historiographic approaches in these areas.
What methodology was used in the study?
The study employed a systematic review of literature published between 2011 and 2020 in four specialized journals: Business History, Business History Review, Journal of Management History, and Management & Organizational History. A total of 231 articles were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques.
What were the key findings of the study?
The study addressed two central analytical questions regarding researchers' theoretical-methodological choices and summarized the findings into six research lines. It also presented historiographic approaches based on the epistemologies, theories, methods, contributions, limitations, and research problems identified in the reviewed articles.
What is the originality/value of the article?
The article contributes by emphasizing the importance of understanding researchers' theoretical-methodological decisions, which shape the historiographic approaches in business and management research. Additionally, it proposes a research agenda focused on (1) marginal empirical contexts, (2) the comparative approach to history, and (3) the perception of the past as a historical narrative.
What are the proposed areas for future research?
The study suggests a research agenda that addresses three key areas: (1) exploring marginal empirical contexts, (2) adopting a comparative approach to history, and (3) examining the perception of the past as a historical narrative. These areas aim to expand and deepen the understanding of business and management history.
