Instructions for research Notes and Book

Reviews

Research notes are not full academic papers but are discussion notes, seeking to advance a
new idea, theoretical perspective, research program, or methodological approach in
organization studies. As opposed to full research papers, research notes may follow a less
strict paper outline but still needs to make a valuable contribution to the study of
organization. That is, polemical clarity and rhetoric are important qualities of a readable
and intriguing research note. When writing a research note, it is important that the
author(s) are clear on what kind of contribution they want to make to the field of
organization studies, that they are capable of advancing an intelligible and solid argument
in favour of a particular theory, study, or methodology, and that they bring in a novel view
to the attention of the journal’s readers. The role of the research note is thus not so much to
further justify or support predominant theoretical perspectives but to serve as a form of
incubator or laboratory for new thinking in the field of organization studies.

Research notes are preferable between 3,000 and 4,000 words (but up to 5,000 may be
accepted under certain conditions) and are otherwise adhering to the research paper
instructions regarding e.g., referencing and bibliographic information. Research notes are
reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and one or more Associate Editors. Research notes can also
be invited by the editor or members of the editorial team in collaboration with the editor.

Instruction for Book Reviews

Our book review section contains three different types of book reviews. First, ordinary
reviews on recent books by well-known scholars, but also on more avantgarde or marginal
works and on books published in languages other than English. SJM wants to provide the
readers with reviews on interesting books that other major journals are unlikely to cover.
Furthermore, reviews should cover an overview of the contents of the book as well as a
critical account of the book, i.e. its merits and its shortcomings. Length of text should be
around 1,400-1,800 words. Secondly, we have vintage book reviews, i.e. reviews on classics
in management. This type of book review primarily target, but are not exclusively restricted
to, Scandinavian classics in which an overview of its contents should be provided as well as
an account of what the current value is to today’s research and societal problems. Length of
text should be around 1,000-1,400 words. Third, there is the possibility to write book review
essays. A book review essay implies reading and comparing several books in such a manner
that the reviewer includes his/hers own original analysis of a management phenomenon.
Such a review could either include books from different disciplines – an interdisciplinary
approach – that taken together are relevant for Management, or include books from the
same discipline. Length of text should be around 2,000 words.