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Rise of the Most Excellent Scholar, Demise of the Field: A Fictional Story, Yet Probable Destiny

Author

Listed:
  • Orhan, Mehmet A.

    (EM Normandie Business School)

  • Bal, P. Matthijs
  • van Rossenberg, Yvonne

Abstract

This article presents a fictional narrative about Professor Sackker, the solitary researcher in the field of Sackker Studies, once known as Management and Organizational Studies. Despite its absurdity, the story portrays Sackker’s dominance, marked by his inevitable rise with record-breaking publications and citations, stifling competition, and leaving him as the ultimate winner and ruler. Through personal reflections, his story explores his career strategies, provides insights into his success, and explains how he shaped, transformed, and eventually (but unwittingly) destroyed the field. This narrative, though fictional, mirrors real concerns in today’s reality: growing inequalities, the dominance of elite scholars, and erosion of meaning in academic careers as a function of hyper-competition. We examine the prevalence of systemic issues plaguing academia. Despite challenges, the article also aims to inspire hope. By illuminating these problems and integrating them into scholarly discussions, there lies an opportunity for change, empowering the next generation of academics.

Suggested Citation

  • Orhan, Mehmet A. & Bal, P. Matthijs & van Rossenberg, Yvonne, 2024. "Rise of the Most Excellent Scholar, Demise of the Field: A Fictional Story, Yet Probable Destiny," OSF Preprints r63uz, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:r63uz
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/r63uz
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Orhan, Mehmet A., 2020. "Pardon my French: On superfluous journal rankings, incentives, and impacts on industrial-organizational psychology publication practices in French business schools," Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 295-306, September.
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    7. Pierre Azoulay & Christian Fons-Rosen & Joshua S. Graff Zivin, 2019. "Does Science Advance One Funeral at a Time?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(8), pages 2889-2920, August.
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    2. Mehmet A Orhan & Yvonne G T van Rossenberg & P. Matthijs Bal, 2023. "Authorship inequality and elite dominance in management and organizational research: A review of six decades," Post-Print hal-04966164, HAL.

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