This theoretical essay has as its main aim presenting and discussing the possibilities of using the life history method in studies of management learning processes. The distinctive character of this methodological approach is its personal, historical, social, institutional, and/or political narrative contextualization. Aiming to uncover the forces that shape, distort, and change lived experiences (HATCH; WISNIEWSKI, 1995; BERTAUX, 1980), the paper examines the potential for using this research strategy to explore the understanding of the complex and dynamic process of management learning. It is presented, in an illustrative character, the synthesis of the life history of a manager and the analysis of learning processes identified in his accounts. The procedures for the systematization of analyses of the learning processes of a group managers investigated, using this research approach, are described. The study suggests that the use of the life history method, in the investigation of management learning processes, besides allowing the deepening on the theme, can contribute to regain human valorization, revealing understandings of collective phenomena from accounts of personal background and experiences. The systematization of knowledge about this research method, scarce in the literature of Administration, and the exploration of application possibilities in this theoretical field can contribute to the development of future studies on other issues. One of the limitations associated to the use of the method is the time required to produce a series of interviews with each professional (ATKINSON, 2002). It also hinders the acceptance to participate in the research, especially in the case of managers, who usually have little time available, due to their accumulation of responsibilities in the organizations.
Research approach; Methodological procedures; Life history; Management learning; Learning processes