Looking backwards to move forwards? Reviewing the possibilities of retroduction as a contemporary approach to researching strategy

This proposal suggests that retroduction represents an under-utilised
but potentially potent and “Academics, Business and Consultants” (ABC)
inclusive mode of reasoning for approaching contemporary strategy
research. Retroductive approaches to researching strategy are argued
to have potential to generate explanations which might underpin the
proposal of ‘theory as elucidation’ engage ABCs in a mutually respectful
and advantageous investigative process without compromising the
potential for generation of outcomes according to the needs of each;
and complement and catalyse extant, dominant deductive and inductive
strategy research approaches. On this basis retroduction is nominated as
a means by which to start addressing the much lamented gap between
strategy theory and practice