Disseminating scientific research: a double-edged sword?

Abstract

Practitioners rarely have the time or propensity to read scientific research, and scholarly researchers seldom write for non-academic audiences. Nevertheless, both groups would probably agree that researchers could solve many problems faced by practitioners and that research is important to guide practice. This article acknowledges scientists’ failure to communicate successfully with practitioners, and discusses the main differences between academic and practitioner-oriented journals in management and business related disciplines. Author guidelines of the most prominent journals that appeal to both academics and practitioners are reviewed and discussed. A thorough literature review is also conducted to support the arguments. The article offers suggestions on how to narrow the gap between academics and practitioners and how to find a way of not only delivering science to practitioners, but also making science benefit society. Progress is necessary to move toward a better academic–practitioner dialogue and thereby advance both science and practice