This paper advances pragmatist inquiry as a foundational ontological and epistemological framework for addressing complexity and emergence in management research. Rooted in Peirce’s iterative cycle of abduction, deduction, and induction, and Dewey’s vision of inquiry as a participatory and transformative process, pragmatist inquiry emphasizes the centrality of experimentation in navigating uncertain and evolving phenomena. By reconceptualizing abduction as a relational and performative process and embedding it within iterative cycles of experimentation and collaborative engagement, this framework bridges theory and practice to generate actionable, context-sensitive insights. Pragmatist inquiry also redefines process theorizing by illuminating the interplay between emergent phenomena and systemic dynamics, emphasizing how inquiry reshapes organizational practices through participatory engagement in the community of inquiry. This study establishes a robust theoretical foundation for pragmatist inquiry while suggesting methodological pathways for addressing complex, dynamic, and pluralistic organizational contexts, offering a transformative lens for advancing both theory and practice.
