Alignment between thematic research methodology and the decolonial approach: a proposal for Organizational Studies

Abstract

The denunciations promoted by the decolonial approach regarding colonial practices that remain active, even after the official end of colonialism, and the criticism that this approach makes to the universality of thought, contribute to the advance of knowledge. However, there is a gap in the decolonial approach over the most coherent methodological possibilities that can be used in decolonial research. Therefore, we seek to contribute to the expansion of choosing methodological approaches in research in the area of Organizational Studies that are epistemologically aligned with the decolonial approach; they respect the pluriversality of beings, knowledge, and territories. We point to the thematic investigation1 as a possibility of a methodology aligned with the decolonial approach. Finally, we present an example of methodological planning for research under a decolonial perspective in the area of Organizational Studies, which will use the thematic investigation as a methodology. We conclude that the thematic investigation has a perspective aligned with the decolonial approach since it respects the being and the territory, but that it should not be adopted without prior critical reflectivity, i.e., as a formula.