Research ideology and researcher's role as practiced by Jan‐Erik Gröjer

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on the literature debating research policy, research and the role of researchers, in discussing a single researcher's (Jan‐Erik Gröjer's) research during the 1980s and 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

Jan‐Erik Gröjer's publications during the period are compared with different research modes 1 and 2, communalism, universalism, disinterestedness, originality and scepticism and PLACE within this polarized world, i.e. between demands from different research ideologies universities as well as individual researchers perform their research.

Findings

This paper can be read as both a contribution to the debate about the researcher's role and as a tribute to a friend who was able to investigate and practise different roles: normative and critical, theoretical and applied and provocative and humble, to name a few.

Research limitations/implications

Further case studies of single researchers could serve as a valuable input to the discussion of different research ideologies.

Practical implications

The paper could be used in, e.g., doctoral student education when discussing the researcher's role but also when discussing the role of university research in general.

Originality/value

The used research modes have not before been analyzed using a single researcher as a case. It could be useful for individual researchers as well as in discussions about management of universities.

Citation

Johanson, U. (2009), "Research ideology and researcher's role as practiced by Jan‐Erik Gröjer", Journal of Human Resource Costing & Accounting, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 82-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/14013380910968601