Towards coherent pluralism in management science

This paper seeks to contribute to the orchestration of coherent pluralism (i.e. the use of different methodologies in combination) in management science. Its starting point is the eagerness of the applied disciplines to embrace pluralism and some thoughts on why this should be the case. This is followed by a summary of two contributions which have sought to define the nature of pluralism in management science, as well as to nurture its development. A brief history of the establishment of some important landmarks in pluralist thinking in management science is then provided. The paper goes on to try to build on these sections by outlining the form that pluralism needs to take if it is to be both theoretically defensible and provide the greatest benefit to practitioners. Finally, a hopefully coherent version of pluralism, which seems to meet these criteria, is offered. A conclusion suggests an agenda for future research in the area.