23281: R-Squared: Amplifying Rigor and Relevance to Addressing Today’s Grand Challenges

Management science has long grappled with the rigor-relevance gap, a divide between researchers seeking “generalizable and defensible insights” and practitioners needing “context-specific” and time-sensitive solutions (Sharma & Bansal, 2020: 386). This gap has contributed to a disconnect between scholarship and practice (Bartunek & Rynes, 2014; Van de Ven & Johnson, 2006). As organizations face growing environmental turbulence, their ability to adapt and sustain effectiveness becomes increasingly critical (Paine et al., 2024). The most valuable knowledge supports this adaptability and ensures long-term success (Mohrman & Lawler, 2011). Despite the opportunity for scholars to produce “useful research” (Mohrman & Lawler, 2012) and for practitioners to integrate rigor into leadership and consulting, the gap continues to hinder progress (Bartunek & Rynes, 2014; Kieser et al., 2015). The Organization Development & Change (ODC) Division seeks to bridge this divide through its annual PDW: R2 – Amplifying Rigor and Relevance to Address Today’s Grand Challenges. Scheduled alongside the 2025 Rigor-Relevance Award event and recipient interviews with Ann Langley and Mats Alvesson, the PDW convenes leading scholars tackling critical global challenges – such as sustainability: diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and technology – facing management and our world today. By promoting relevant and rigorous scholarship, the ODC Division and this PDW aim to promote actionable insights into pressing issues and enhanced management practices worldwide.