Creativity and Innovation in Research and Scope for Multidisciplinary Research

Abstract

This paper discusses something about research in general and multidisciplinary research in particular, the context being a Post Graduate Course in Commerce or Management. Improvements in the development of the three ‘master’ skills of creativity, critical thinking and influence are essential for developing the next generation of researchers. Their future careers are set against a backdrop of economic turbulence, an increasing demand for capabilities in these skills in the private sector, a growing requirement to demonstrate impact beyond publications with their research and a career trajectory that is unpredictable and short‐term.

In the research-process, some focus on process, some on philosophies. We must also develop best practices in doing research and continue with them until we get a new idea to put into practice. Multidisciplinary research is definitely a buzzword of our time; it regularly decorates the pages of funding proposals and applications, scientific reports, and our professional language. However, after the applications are sent, funding is provided, and papers are published, how do we know that the work was actually multidisciplinary, or even close to it? Time to ponder!

Keywords: Creativity, disciplines, innovation, knowledge, multidisciplinary research