Social Utility and Research-Practice Relations in Work and Organizational Psychology: Insights into the “Engineer Model”

Work and Organizational Psychology (WOP), oriented towards knowledge construction, action, and the resolution of concrete problems within organizations, must question its social utility. Addressing this issue may reveal a perceived disconnect between research in WOP and the expressed need in the world of work. While the contributions of this discipline are increasingly present in managing problems encountered in the social sphere, they deserve further consideration. It is however observed that the basis of decision-makers seems to be more inclined towards common sense knowledge than to be able to consider the results of scientific research. To overcome this predicament, specialists in fundamental social psychology have suggested, in several publications, intervening based on what they call an “engineer model.” This perspective is presented by highlighting its interest but also discussing its limitations. Prior to this, the components of the social utility of research are defined, and the gap separating research from the needs of the field is discussed.