Scientific reasoning in management. The role of abduction in research process design

Management as a science that studies the social and economic sphere exists, by definition, on the borderline of many disciplines, which predisposes it to undertake considerations relating to the choice of the right way of thinking. The subject discussed in the text is hardly explored in management sciences, but it is very important due to the consequences resulting from the adoption of wrong methodological assumptions. Although the article is theoretical by nature, it raises significant issues concerning the preparation of the research process. The aim of the article is to broaden researchers’ awareness of the application of scientific reasoning.

The empirical nature of management sciences makes deductive reasoning not always adequate for the description and evaluation of occurring phenomena, whereas inductive reasoning does not allow for drawing conclusions that can be generalised. Therefore, attention was focused on abduction. The author presents arguments for the complementarity of abduction as opposed to induction and deduction as well as a scheme of abductive reasoning.

It has been recognised that the number of cognitive and practical problems in the world of organisations forces the absorption of new instruments.