Resolving structure-agency dichotomy in managment research: case for adaptive theory research methodology

This paper argues that adaptive theory research methodology can resolve structure-agency issue related to management research methods. Management phenomena are part of the social reality that is produced by continuous, circular process whereby individual behaviour (agency) creates social structure that in turn shapes individual behaviour. Quantitative research overemphasises structure whereas highly qualitative research overly focuses on individual subjectivity or agency. It is argued that in order to have a holistic understanding, both structure and agency aspects of a phenomenon need to be studied in a single research project. The paper explains the philosophical underpinnings of adaptive theory and then illustrates using experience of a recently concluded adaptive theory-based research, useful guidelines for application of this research methodology.