The power of co-problematization: rethinking the design of research questions in collaborative qualitative management research

Abstract

Purpose This paper examines co-problematization as a core process in collaborative qualitative research. It explores how researchers and practitioners jointly define research questions through negotiation, compromise and mutual recognition, ensuring both scientific rigor and practical relevance. Design/methodology/approach Based on qualitative data from collaborative projects involving researchers, PhD students and practitioners, the study adopts an interpretive approach to analyze how tensions are managed and how shared understanding emerges during the formulation of research questions. Findings Results show that defining the research question is an analytical act of collaboration rather than a preliminary task. Co-problematization enables the reconciliation of academic and practical logics, while PhD students act as mediators translating concepts and feedback between both worlds. The process transforms abstract theoretical ideas into contextually grounded knowledge, fostering mutual learning and balanced power dynamics. Originality/value The paper introduces co-problematization as a key marker of quality in qualitative research. It argues that methodological rigor and relevance emerge from iterative negotiation and relational engagement rather than from procedural checklists, thus advancing the understanding of how collaborative inquiry produces credible and useful knowledge.