AOM2026 PDW "Frontiers in Organizational Search:
Revisiting and Advancing the Problem–Solution Perspective"
Saturday, Aug 1 2026 12:15–2:45PM ET
Loews in Commonwealth A1
Distinguished Panelists:
Riitta Katila (Stanford University)
JP Eggers (New York University)
Vibha Gaba (INSEAD)
Martin Ganco (University of Wisconsin)
John Joseph (University of California, Irvine)
Todd Zenger (University of Utah)
Sukhun Kang (UC Santa Barbara)
Cha Li (University of Texas at Austin)
We cordially invite you to attend the upcoming AOM PDW on "Frontiers in Organizational Search: Revisiting and Advancing the Problem–Solution Perspective" at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2026 in Philadelphia. Participation is open for the presentations and panel discussion, but pre-registration is required for the round table discussion.
Overview: This PDW continues our series on organizational search, this year focusing on the problem–solution perspective on organizational search. While innovation and search fundamentally involve matching problems with solutions, research has concentrated disproportionately on solutions-examining how firms recombine knowledge, navigate technological landscapes, and balance exploration–exploitation. The problem side remains comparatively neglected. Yet problem identification, selection, and formulation are consequential: they shape subsequent solution spaces and technological trajectories, reflect strategic positioning, and interact dynamically with solution search. This PDW examines three core questions: How do firms and innovators identify and select which problems to address? How does problem formulation influence search outcomes and innovation performance? How do problem and solution search interact as firms iterate between problem and solution spaces? We bring together leading scholars to address these questions.
Following panel presentations, we will have themed roundtables to enable further interactions between the participants and the presenters. Prospective participants will apply to the PDW by submitting a brief description of a research idea to be explored with the discussants and other participants.
To participate in the round table discussion, please fill in this form by
Monday, June 22, 2026 using the following link or QR code on the flyer: https://forms.gle/vgVTqD8MKyfXMStaA. Acceptance notifications will be sent by early July.
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Cha Li
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin TX
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