Evidence-Based Management

The aims of our academic research are besides the development of basic knowledge the promotion of practice-related knowledge. Managerial staff in practice have to take complex decisions that imply far-reaching consequences. However, these decisions are frequently based on indistinct premises (e.g. management fashions, imitation behavior of competitors, outdated knowledge). When their decisions are based on experiences, they consist most likely of case studies. But only a small number of examples are drawn from practice for those case studies in order to make a decision. 

Researcher within the principle of the evidence-based management try to give practice-related managerial recommendations on the basis of “evidence”, that is to say sound results from scientific examinations. Those examinations can be so-called primary studies by which a particular hypothesis can be tested by both a self-examined sample with a substantial number and by strict statistical methods. Otherwise, those examinations can be secondary studies where every available study concerning one hypothesis will be aggregated and combined. Thereby, an overall assessment of the whole evidence for the respective hypothesis can be build.

One powerful examination method within this context is the „meta-analysis“. Thereby, statistical measures that represent the correlations of interest (e.g. the link between the conducting of a recruitment measure and professional success of the recruited applicants) are aggregated and according to statistical methods a “medium effect size” is being calculated. Moreover, meta-analyses enable to analyze reasons whether and why there are differences between the outcomes of the examined studies.

The evidence-based medicine serves as an example for the evidence-based management. Since the 199s, the evidence-based medicine endeavors to collect every evidence in favor or against certain medical therapies.

For further information regarding the evidence-based management, we recommend the following link: http://www.cebma.org

Below you find a selection of publications of our team concerning the evidence-based management, especially meta-analytical studies:

Frese, M., Bausch, A., Schmidt, P., Rauch, A., Kabst, R. (2012). Evidence-based Entrepreneurship (EBE): Cumulative science, action principles, and bridging the gap between science and practice. Foundations and Trends in Entrepreneurship. Vol. 8 (1): 1-62

Haus, I., Steinmetz, H., Isidor, R., Kabst, R. (2013). Gender Effects on Entrepreneurial Intention: A Meta-Analytical Structural Equation Model. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship (IJGE). Forthcoming 2013.

Steinmetz, H., Isidor, R., Bäuerle, N. (2012). Testing the Circular Structure of Human Values: A Meta-Analytical: Structural Equation Modelling Approach. Survey Research Methods, 6 (1), 61-75

Isidor, R., Schwens, C., Kabst, R., Hornung, F. (2012). Internationaler Joint Venture Erfolg: Eine Meta-Analyse. Zeitschrift für Betriebswirtschaft, 82(5): 539-583.

Schneid, M., Isidor, R., Steinmetz, H., & Kabst, R. (in press). Age diversity and team outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Managerial  Psychology.

Isidor, R., Steinmetz, H., Schwens, C., & Kabst, R. (in press). Linking Transaction Cost and Social Exchange Theory to Explain Strategic Alliance Performance: A Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Model.  International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances.

Schneid, M., Isidor, R., Steinmetz, H., Kabst, R. & Weber, H.I. (2014).  Der Einfluss bio-demographischer und fachlicher Diversität auf die  Leistung von Teams: Eine Metaanalyse. Die Betriebswirtschaft (DBW), Vol. 74, Nr. 3, S. 183-210.