Introduction

No two business problem-solving (BPS) projects are identical. Yet, no business problem is completely different from all other business problems. Given the long history of management research, it is likely that problems comparable to a specific business problem have been studied already. As we have explained, BPS projects benefit from the use of this existing scholarly literature. Though the literature will not provide all of the answers, it can inform each of the steps of a BPS project. In this chapter we will be concerned with the search and use of existing scientific knowledge.

There is a widely shared concern that existing knowledge within the field of management science (and within other fields) is insufficiently used by practitioners (Van Aken 2004). One reason for this lies in the organization of knowledge. Management science literature is fragmented and contested (Whitley 1984; Tranfield et al 2003). It is fragmented, since relevant ideas and research findings are often scattered across different journals and fields of study, presented in different conceptual guises, and show little accumulation. Management literature is contested since studies that address comparable questions often yield contradictory results. Conflicting opinions co-exist – sometimes in mutual ignorance – and disputes often remain unsolved.

The fragmented and contested nature of knowledge on management interacts in a vicious cycle with the use of existing knowledge.