A food quality management research methodology integrating technological and managerial theories

In this article it is argued how the complexity of food quality management combined with the high requirements on food quality requires a specific research methodology. It is concluded that food quality management research has to deal with two quite different paradigms, the one from technological and the other from managerial disciplines. Moreover, it must combine two types of research, i.e. managerial problem solving and fundamental scientific research.The research methodology is described as a stepwise process, wherein theory and practice are connected with a prominent place for selecting useful technological and managerial theories.This selection process is supported by a grid showing important topics in different research phases. The methodology is illustrated with a case example. Moreover, attention is paid to the role of the researcher in this type of interdisciplinary work, both as the intermediate between theory and practice and as the one to be critical towards theory-selection and use of data.