An Archaeological Critique of 'Evidence-Based Management': one digression after another

Morrell, K.; Learmonth, M.; Heracleous, L.

Abstract

Fundamental problems remain with evidence-based management. We argue that, rather than being addressed, these problems are treated as digressions. One explanation for this is an ongoing incoherence: the evidence-based approach relegates narrative to a ghetto category of knowledge, but it is itself a narrative. Moreover, while this narrative is becoming more polished through repetition and selective assimilation of critique, it is also becoming simplified and less interesting. A Foucauldian, archaeological analysis accounts for this development by locating evidence-based management in a broader historical context. This analysis shows how the roots of incoherence can be informed by older exchanges between evidence and narrative.

Citation

Morrell, K., Learmonth, M., & Heracleous, L. (2015). An Archaeological Critique of 'Evidence-Based Management': one digression after another. British Journal of Management, 26(3), 529-543. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12109

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Mar 19, 2015
• Publication Date: Jul 14, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jan 24, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 19, 2017
• Journal: British Journal of Management
• Print ISSN: 1045-3172
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-8551
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 529-543
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12109
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1413743