Research relevance in management and organization: A problematizing review, critique and proposal for moving forward

Abstract The relevance of scholarly research is a core concern for many scholars in the field of organizations and management, leading to an ever‐growing body of literature on the topic. However, discussions, regarding the challenges of attaining relevance and the proposed solutions, tend to be repetitive and reflect little progress. To advance this discussion, this article is organized into three parts. First, through a problematizing review, we identify the use of the theory‐practice gap as an overarching frame that drives the dominant discussions in the research relevance literature. Using that identification as a starting point, we organize the currently fragmented literature. Next, we delve deeper into three problematic assumptions that stem from using the theory‐practice gap as a framing device and offer a detailed critique. Finally, drawing on our review and critique and on insights from related literature beyond research relevance, we propose three alternative conceptualizations of relevance that aim to address these shortcomings. We provide a path for future research by suggesting that research relevance can be reconceptualized as practical utility, as a cyclical process, and as etched in organizational processes, and highlight how these reconceptualizations can be put into practice.