Summary Research & Skills
Lecture 1: Theory building
Theory is the answer to queries of why (Kaplan, 1964; Merton, 1967)
Theory is about the connections among phenomena, a story about why acts, events, structure,
and thoughts occur, and the nature of causal relationships identifying what comes first as well
as the timing of such events (Sutton & Staw, 1995)
Theory is the description (what, how) and explanation (why) of the social phenomena of
interest, as well as their generalizability (who, where, when) (Whetten, 1989)
References are not theory: it doesn’t explain the ‘why’.
- Mentioning the name of theories is not a theory
- You need to make arguments by explaining and linking concepts and causal logic
from references
Data is not theory
- Does not explain the caused relationship and the ‘why’
- It is a tool
- You need to explain why certain relationships are expected in the future
Constructs and variables are not a theory
- Not by themselves/single
- It does not make a theoretical argument
- You need to explain why these constructs or variables come about and why they are
connected
Diagrams are no theory
- They can be a valuable part of a theory
- They rarely explain why the proposed connections will be observed
Hypotheses/predictions are no theory
- It is said what is expected to occur, but not why it is expected to occur.
A theory constraints about 4 elements (theory building blocks):
1. What what factors (concepts, constructs, variables) should be logically considered
as part of the explanation of the social phenomena of interest? (completeness vs.
parsimony)
2. How how are these factors related?
3. Why what are the underlying social mechanisms and dynamics that justify the
selection of factors and the proposed causal relationship?
4. Who, where, when what are the conditions placing the limits and boundaries of
generalizability?
1
, Boundary conditions are good: apply of not apply?
It can be within different industries. A patent.
Moderating effect: effect of resources on performance is the same. Knowledge can make the
positive effect more positive.
How to build a theory?
2 approaches:
1. Observational thinking based on practice (reality)
a. Observation theory
Inductive thinking: observation leads to a theory
- Theory formation: developing a theory
- Qualitative approach
2. Conceptual thinking based on literature or logic
a. Theory test in observation
Deductive thinking: testing of a theory
- Literature and logical reasoning
- Quantitative
It’s all about translation:
Video lecture
Ethics:
- The way people behave
- Good and bad
- Moral principles
- Moral philosophy
Business ethics: applied ethics in professional ethics focuses on ethical problems that arise in
business environments.
Research ethics: focuses on ethical dilemmas and integrity in scientific research.
2
Lecture 1: Theory building
Theory is the answer to queries of why (Kaplan, 1964; Merton, 1967)
Theory is about the connections among phenomena, a story about why acts, events, structure,
and thoughts occur, and the nature of causal relationships identifying what comes first as well
as the timing of such events (Sutton & Staw, 1995)
Theory is the description (what, how) and explanation (why) of the social phenomena of
interest, as well as their generalizability (who, where, when) (Whetten, 1989)
References are not theory: it doesn’t explain the ‘why’.
- Mentioning the name of theories is not a theory
- You need to make arguments by explaining and linking concepts and causal logic
from references
Data is not theory
- Does not explain the caused relationship and the ‘why’
- It is a tool
- You need to explain why certain relationships are expected in the future
Constructs and variables are not a theory
- Not by themselves/single
- It does not make a theoretical argument
- You need to explain why these constructs or variables come about and why they are
connected
Diagrams are no theory
- They can be a valuable part of a theory
- They rarely explain why the proposed connections will be observed
Hypotheses/predictions are no theory
- It is said what is expected to occur, but not why it is expected to occur.
A theory constraints about 4 elements (theory building blocks):
1. What what factors (concepts, constructs, variables) should be logically considered
as part of the explanation of the social phenomena of interest? (completeness vs.
parsimony)
2. How how are these factors related?
3. Why what are the underlying social mechanisms and dynamics that justify the
selection of factors and the proposed causal relationship?
4. Who, where, when what are the conditions placing the limits and boundaries of
generalizability?
1
, Boundary conditions are good: apply of not apply?
It can be within different industries. A patent.
Moderating effect: effect of resources on performance is the same. Knowledge can make the
positive effect more positive.
How to build a theory?
2 approaches:
1. Observational thinking based on practice (reality)
a. Observation theory
Inductive thinking: observation leads to a theory
- Theory formation: developing a theory
- Qualitative approach
2. Conceptual thinking based on literature or logic
a. Theory test in observation
Deductive thinking: testing of a theory
- Literature and logical reasoning
- Quantitative
It’s all about translation:
Video lecture
Ethics:
- The way people behave
- Good and bad
- Moral principles
- Moral philosophy
Business ethics: applied ethics in professional ethics focuses on ethical problems that arise in
business environments.
Research ethics: focuses on ethical dilemmas and integrity in scientific research.
2
