Like Superman, Institutional Review Boards Play an Important Role, But When Unchecked Can Cause Significant Collateral Damage: Five Reasons That it is Time to Reset Institutional Review Boards.

Obenauer, William G.

The article discusses the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in research, highlighting concerns about their overreach and inconsistencies in decision-making. The author argues that IRBs need to be reset due to issues such as bias, unnecessary restrictions, lack of understanding of risk assessment, and impeding research on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recommendations are provided to address these issues, emphasizing the need for clear standards, pushing back on false risks, and lobbying for legislation to limit IRBs' overreach. The author calls for management scholars to engage in discussions and advocate for reform in the IRB process to ensure efficient and equitable research practices.

CAREER development; ORGANIZATIONAL citizenship behavior; SOCIAL science research; COLLECTIVE labor agreements; INTERNET protocol address; INFORMED consent (Medical law); NATIONAL Education Association of the United States; ACADEMIC freedom

Group & Organization Management, 2025, Vol 50, Issue 1, p359

1059-6011

Academic Journal

10.1177/10596011231198359