Challenges and solutions in publishing phenomenon-based Chinese management research in top-tier journals : my journey

Abstract

Phenomenon-based research involves uncovering context-specific mechanisms underlying complex organizational realities and, when applied to Chinese contexts, offers valuable potential to extend and refine global management theories. Drawing on three illustrative studies on person–environment fit (Chuang, Hsu, Wang, & Judge, 2015), CEO humility (Ou, Waldman, & Peterson, 2014), and authoritarian leadership (Huang, Chiu, Lam, & Farh, 2015) respectively, this editorial highlights how each exemplifies different stages in the evolution of theories, from indigenous, middle-range insights to universal, general frameworks. In doing so, it addresses challenges and potential solutions for publishing phenomenon-based Chinese management research in premier journals. Across these cases, several recurring challenges emerge, including difficulties in positioning context-specific findings within existing theoretical frameworks, translating culturally embedded constructs for international audiences, and balancing cultural authenticity with global understanding. The authors also reflect on practical challenges such as building research partnerships and gaining organizational support within Chinese contexts. By comparing experiences across these studies, this editorial offers guidance on how phenomenon-based research can deepen theoretical innovation while maintaining methodological rigor and practical relevance. Lastly, it argues that Chinese management research plays a vital role in advancing universal management knowledge and offers opportunities for future research. 基于现象的研究旨在揭示复杂组织现实中具有情境特定性的现象, 而当其应用于中国情境时, 具有拓展和深化全球管理理论的潜力。本文以三项具有代表性的研究为例, 分别聚焦于个人与环境匹配 (Chuang, Hsu, Wang, & Judge, 2015)、总裁的谦卑特质 (Ou, Waldman, & Peterson, 2014) 以及威权领导 (Huang, Chiu, Lam, & Farh, 2015), 强调这些研究如何体现理论演进的不同阶段: 从本土化的中层理论洞见, 发展到具有普遍意义的通用理论框架。在此过程中, 本文讨论了在顶级期刊发表基于现象的中国管理研究所面临的挑战及其潜在解决路径。在这些研究案例中, 反复出现的挑战包括: 如何将情境特定的研究发现有效嵌入既有理论框架之中, 如何将深植于文化情境中的构念转化并呈现给国际学术受众, 以及如何在保持文化真实感与促进全球理解之间取得平衡。作者们还反思了实践层面的挑战, 例如在中国情境下建立研究合作关系以及获得组织层面的支持。通过比较这些研究的经验, 本文为如何在保持方法论严谨性与管理相关性的同时, 推动基于现象的研究以实现理论创新提供了有益指引。最后, 本文指出, 中国管理研究在推动普遍性管理知识的发展中发挥着关键作用, 并为未来研究提供了重要方向。