December 2024 | Christopher Wickert, Kristina Potočnik, Shameen Prashantham, Weilei (Stone) Shi, Yuliya Snihur
The article "Embracing non-Western Contexts in Management Scholarship" by Christopher Wickert, Kristina Potočnik, Shameen Prashantham, Weilei (Stone) Shi, and Yuliya Snihur, published in the *Journal of Management Studies*, addresses the underrepresentation of non-Western contexts in management research. The authors argue that the majority of empirical investigations and theoretical explanations in leading management journals are predominantly based on Western contexts, particularly from the USA and larger European countries. This exclusion marginalizes non-Western scholarly voices and limits the understanding of management practices globally.
The article highlights several benefits of embracing non-Western contexts, including the need to acknowledge the unique features and limitations of these contexts, the potential for developing new theoretical models, and the importance of giving voice to those who suffer the most from societal challenges. The authors provide examples of research published in *JMS* that has successfully utilized non-Western contexts to advance theoretical insights, such as studies on corporate social responsibility, global management practices, entrepreneurship, leadership, and relational strategies.
The article also discusses the importance of examining how non-Western phenomena and ideas influence Western management practices and the need to enrich the theoretical repertoire with theories from non-Western contexts. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the world beyond simple dichotomies like "West vs. non-West," emphasizing the complexity of socio-economic, political, and cultural factors within and across contexts.
In conclusion, the authors encourage scholars to embrace non-Western contexts in their research, arguing that this will lead to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of management as a global phenomenon.The article "Embracing non-Western Contexts in Management Scholarship" by Christopher Wickert, Kristina Potočnik, Shameen Prashantham, Weilei (Stone) Shi, and Yuliya Snihur, published in the *Journal of Management Studies*, addresses the underrepresentation of non-Western contexts in management research. The authors argue that the majority of empirical investigations and theoretical explanations in leading management journals are predominantly based on Western contexts, particularly from the USA and larger European countries. This exclusion marginalizes non-Western scholarly voices and limits the understanding of management practices globally.
The article highlights several benefits of embracing non-Western contexts, including the need to acknowledge the unique features and limitations of these contexts, the potential for developing new theoretical models, and the importance of giving voice to those who suffer the most from societal challenges. The authors provide examples of research published in *JMS* that has successfully utilized non-Western contexts to advance theoretical insights, such as studies on corporate social responsibility, global management practices, entrepreneurship, leadership, and relational strategies.
The article also discusses the importance of examining how non-Western phenomena and ideas influence Western management practices and the need to enrich the theoretical repertoire with theories from non-Western contexts. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the world beyond simple dichotomies like "West vs. non-West," emphasizing the complexity of socio-economic, political, and cultural factors within and across contexts.
In conclusion, the authors encourage scholars to embrace non-Western contexts in their research, arguing that this will lead to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of management as a global phenomenon.