Vulnerability and research ethics: an analysis from the perspective of Management faculty

Abstract

Vulnerability in scientific research is a core issue in research ethics, particularly in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Applied Social Sciences (CHSSA), where social, organizational, and relational risks are often underestimated. The purpose of this study is to understand how Business Administration faculty perceive and define vulnerability in research, as well as to identify the contexts and risks associated with participation. This qualitative study is based on 22 semi-structured interviews with Business Administration faculty from three universities and one focus group with four faculty members (total: n = 26). Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings reveal three main insights: (1) vulnerability is understood as a dynamic, situational, and multifactorial phenomenon that extends beyond biomedical risk; (2) in organizational research, it primarily arises from power asymmetries, hierarchy, institutional dependence, and fear of retaliation, which affect participants’ autonomy and consent; and (3) there is a gap in academic training in Administration regarding ethics and vulnerability, underscoring the need to reassess educational practices and ethical review criteria applied to the CHSSA. This study contributes to improving the ethical design of organizational research and offers insights for researchers, managers, and ethics committees seeking to enhance the governance of research ethics.