Research

Oxford University Press eBooks, pp. 434–448

Abstract

Abstract “Invitation to research” is a metaphor. However, on the semantic or narrative level, we are rarely “invited” to conduct research. This chapter examines three very different ways of dealing with the metaphorical nature of doing research. The metaphorical grounds to semiotics (words) and semantics (narratives) are crucial to our very ability to do research. The authors first turn to Paul Ricoeur, the 20th century’s leading theoretician of the metaphor in research, linking his views to Gareth Morgan’s (1986) text on organizational metaphor. Then, they describe Jacques Derrida’s and Bernard Stiegler’s challenges to the propriety of metaphorization. What if metaphors endlessly keep referring to one another; or if the choices of metaphor do more harm than good? Thereafter, Henri Lefebvre’s rhythmanalysis is examined as an example of metaphorization as good practice. Finally, the authors discuss how balance may be sought between the necessity, complexities, and pitfalls of metaphor in research.

Authors 2

1. Hugo Letiche Aachen Psychology

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Psychology, Leiden University

2. Ivo De Loo

   Nyenrode Business University

   Affiliation as printed

   Management Accounting and Control, Nyenrode Business University, Netherlands