The journal Business History has issued a call for papers for a special issue titled "New Business History?" to be guest edited by David Higgins of the University of York and Abe de Jong of Erasmus University. The call for papers states,
The editors have also created a new blog "to stimulate discussion on methods of research in business history." They have posted a position paper, written by the editors and Hugo van Driel, to aid in the process.
This special issue aims to invoke a discussion about empirical research in business history. We advocate that the current typical approach in business history – dominantly case study analysis – maintains its prominent position, but the purpose and relevance of this type of research in the scientific method for business history is made more explicit. Moreover, we propose the application of additional empirical approaches in business history, which specifically aim to develop theory and test hypotheses. . . . We perceive opportunities for scientific explanations in business history, which are enhanced by considering the circle of knowledge creation where theory is confronted with empirical evidence and empirical observations feed into theory formation. For this reason, this special issue invites the submission of papers that explicitly engage in theory-building and theory-testing in business history using empirical approaches beyond descriptive case study analysis.Papers must be submitted by November 30, 2012; only full papers will be considered. They should be sent to both guest editors: David Higgins at David.Higgins@york.ac.uk and Abe de Jong at ajong@rsm.nl.
The editors have also created a new blog "to stimulate discussion on methods of research in business history." They have posted a position paper, written by the editors and Hugo van Driel, to aid in the process.