Increasing Replication for Knowledge Accumulation in Strategy Research

Abstract

Extensive replication is essential to ensure the reliability and validity of research and for rigorous theory development, particularly for pre-paradigmatic social sciences such as strategy. Yet, relatively few strategy replication studies have been published. We build on recent calls for greater replication by proposing three sets of measures to facilitate knowledge accumulation in strategy via increased replication. We first propose a re-conceptualization of replication studies, to that of the good-enough replication. We then provide a framework to focus replications to improve understanding of the state of different sub-fields and to facilitate their theoretical advancement. Finally, we propose means for promoting and publishing replication research.