Our guiding assertion for the 2009 SCOS conference was (and remains) that bridging is an essentially active phenomenon. We were inspired by the significant Georg Simmel’s essay ‘Bridge and Door’ (f...

PurposeTo explore the cases for and against the use of computer‐assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) in qualitative organisation and management research.Design/methodology/approachReflecting the debate inherent in the questions raised about the use of CAQDAS, a dialogue between the authors is used.FindingsThere are risks associated with using CAQDAS without considering its underpinning principles and assumptions about data analysis. If these are considered explicitly as part of a research methodology, then CAQDAS may be a valuable analytical tool. If not, there is risk of distortion and bias in results from the use of CAQDAS.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a commonly posed question for qualitative researchers, in a format and structure that is likely to stimulate further debate.