Empirical Wisdom Research: A Community Approach

Researching organisational wisdom presents a unique challenge and it is not altogether certain that the broader management and organisational studies research community is ready for it. This chapter therefore considers the future of wisdom research, including wisdom-based research methods for doing wise research. In doing this I first discuss what might be called the classical view of developing wise understandings of reality, then extend that discussion by considering research as an art and craft, including approaching research as a creative and aesthetic process that includes emotions. The discussion will then cover issues connected to creating a community of organisational wisdom researchers before considering important elements of the institutional framework in which such a community might work. This institutional framework discussion includes arguing for changes in universities and related research institutions such as the academic journal system; changes in university management style; and changes in the social architecture that links universities, the community and business. The underlying argument I present is about integration and that a community approach to organisational wisdom research is foundational to an effective global research programme.