Action research in business and management: A reflective review

Abstract In the context of business and management, action research operates in the realm of strategies, practical tasks, and structured hierarchical organizational systems in diverse industries and across multiple business functions and disciplines. This article reflects on action research in generating actionable knowledge in this particular domain and shares the authors’ perspective on future developments. The reflection explores a small number of action research studies undertaken across multiple fields and disciplines in business and management and advances distinct common denominators that can guide further research and action and aid future reflection. Through the mode of interiority, readers are invited to engage in a similar reflection on their assumptions, questions, and insights in coming to judgement about the state of the field and its future.