Away from a single theory of engineering management
Date
2005
Authors
Ferris, T.L.J.
Cook, S.C.
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Conference paper
Citation
2005 IEEE International Engineering Management Conference, 2005, vol.I, pp.271-275
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IEEE International Engineering Management Conference (1 Jan 2005 - 13 Sep 2005 : Canada)
Abstract
Academics in the scientific and engineering disciplines are accustomed to framing unified theories for their area of interest. This is meaningful for narrow research disciplines but can create a worldview in engineering students and academics that this is the most desirable approach to research in general. Engineering management, however, covers a vast range of topics such as project management, team building, scheduling, finance, etc. Engineers who concentrate on engineering management are influenced by their formation and tend to conduct their research from a perspective similar to that applied to engineering science. This paper argues that while this approach is appropriate for many engineering management investigations, for others, alternative research worldviews and methodologies are indicated. We propose that instead of seeking a unified engineering management framework, a better way would be to follow the tenets of postmodern thinking and apply research approaches that best match the engineering management issue under investigation. An overarching framework can still be formed but this would arise from pluralist multi-methodology thinking rather than through developing a single unified theory. © 2005 IEEE.
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