Summary: | This paper is based on a keynote address given at the 2019 IIILs 2018 conference in Orlando, Florida on March 14<sup>th</sup>. In that address, I spoke about how Design Science Research could help bridge the rigor-relevance gap in management science, and probably in other fields as well. I showed that by weaving design, testing and iterations of the two processes together in a logical and systematic manner, new actionable knowledge can be created along with new scientific knowledge. In this paper I explore the concept of rigor-relevance from a different approach, namely Transdisciplinary Research. Transdisciplinary Research is a process that involves both academic researchers and individuals from professional practice collaborating on finding a possible solution to a complex problem. Knowledge artifacts from the Transdisciplinary Research process contribute to the body of scientific knowledge while at the same time developing solution concepts that can be used by practitioners. In other words bridge the great divide referred to in the title of the paper. Transdisciplinary Research is a complex process involving diverse stakeholders. This requires participants have or acquire new and different competences in order to be effective.
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