This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Roth, A. V. Search for Related Content

Applications of Empirical Science in Manufacturing and Service Operations

Department of Management, College of Business and Behavioral Science, 343A Sirrine Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634
aroth{at}clemson.edu

This paper sets the stage for the special issue on the application of empirical science in operations management (OM). It highlights the contributions that empirical science can make to operations management research and practice. In particular, the role of theory building and testing as a motivation for OM empirical research is emphasized. The paper provides a brief history of the empirical tradition in OM and the scholars who were the early pioneers. The paper also gives a brief overview of the most widely used approaches to empirical research and concludes with a summary of the papers that are included in this volume.

Key Words: OM empirical research; theory building; survey research; case research; secondary data