Anticipating and Addressing the Politicization of Research

Abstract

We examine an underaddressed issue in organizational research, the nature of the politicization of knowledge and its consequences for conducting research. Drawing on an illustrative case from a PhD research study and the underutilized theory of politicization, we go beyond previous work on politics in organization and management research to offer three contributions. First, we develop a process model underscoring the potentially emergent and interwoven nature of the politicization of research. In particular, we suggest politicization be seen as a trajectory of moments of difference in which researchers may or may not be aware of the potential political significance. Second, we offer four analytical resources to help researchers make sense around why politicization may occur: disputes over the “ownership” of knowledge, clashes of representational logics, ideological differences, and identity struggles. Third, we argue that politicization can be a catalyst, rather than an obstacle, for knowledge production and propose ways of anticipating and negotiating differences. Our aim is to raise awareness of the importance of understanding and anticipating the politicized situations researchers may encounter in their work.