Summary articles
Contemporary theories
Whetten – what constitutes a theoretical contribution
This article is to fill the gap of how to communicate the necessary ingredients of a
theoretical contribution, which is now often too difficult. The intent is to propose
several simple concepts for discussing the theory-development process.
A complete theory must contain four essential elements which are described further
in this summary. Two criteria exist for judging the extent to which we have included
the ‘right’ factors: comprehensiveness and parsimony.
When the set of factors are identified, you need to answer how are they related?
This involves arrows to relate the boxes. The What and How elements constitute the
domain or subject of the theory.
What and how describe and why only explains. What and how provide a framework
for interpreting patterns in our empirical observations. We must make sure that what
is passing a good theory includes a good plausible explanation why we should
expect a certain relationship in our data.
Who, where and when are conditions which place limitations on the propositions
genrared from a theoretical model. Set boundaries for generalizability and constitute
the range of theory.
Most organizational scholars are not going to generate a new theory from scratch.
Instead, they generally work on improving what already exists.
For What and How, in theory it is possible to simply add or subtract factors (What)
from an existing model. One way to demonstrate the value of a proposed change in
a list of factors is to identify how this change affects the accepted relationships
between the variables.
The essential building blocks are: what, how and why
, Saphira – conceptual, empirical and theoretical contributions to knowledge in
the organizational sciences
Part of the problem is caused by the misunderstanding and the misuse of the term
‘theory’. Here are three methods reviewed to clear the understanding: theories,
models and conceptual frameworks. Language plays an important role in scientific
research.
A theory is commonly defined as an analytic structure or system that attempts to
explain a particular set of empirical phenomena. Highlighted are a few aspects of the
notion of theory:
1. A theory is constructed to provide a coherent explanation of a set of observed
phenomena
2. Theories make assumptions and draw logic derivations.
3. A theory should be formulated in a way that it makes clear how it can be
refuted or falsified.
4. The ultimate test of theory is achieved by comparing its predictions to reality.
Models implies a formulation that
1. Derives predictions based on clearly specified assumptions
2. Is precise and falsifiable
The major difference between theory and model are the first and fourth point
described before. A model does not provide an explanation of the phenomena and
does not make a claim about truth
Models and theories differ from conceptual frameworks because they make testable
predictions. The criteria for conceptual framework is.
1. Provides a structure to organize observations
2. Described the structure in a clear and precise manner
Both languages, mathematics and narratives, are needed for contributing to
knowledge.
Contemporary theories
Whetten – what constitutes a theoretical contribution
This article is to fill the gap of how to communicate the necessary ingredients of a
theoretical contribution, which is now often too difficult. The intent is to propose
several simple concepts for discussing the theory-development process.
A complete theory must contain four essential elements which are described further
in this summary. Two criteria exist for judging the extent to which we have included
the ‘right’ factors: comprehensiveness and parsimony.
When the set of factors are identified, you need to answer how are they related?
This involves arrows to relate the boxes. The What and How elements constitute the
domain or subject of the theory.
What and how describe and why only explains. What and how provide a framework
for interpreting patterns in our empirical observations. We must make sure that what
is passing a good theory includes a good plausible explanation why we should
expect a certain relationship in our data.
Who, where and when are conditions which place limitations on the propositions
genrared from a theoretical model. Set boundaries for generalizability and constitute
the range of theory.
Most organizational scholars are not going to generate a new theory from scratch.
Instead, they generally work on improving what already exists.
For What and How, in theory it is possible to simply add or subtract factors (What)
from an existing model. One way to demonstrate the value of a proposed change in
a list of factors is to identify how this change affects the accepted relationships
between the variables.
The essential building blocks are: what, how and why
, Saphira – conceptual, empirical and theoretical contributions to knowledge in
the organizational sciences
Part of the problem is caused by the misunderstanding and the misuse of the term
‘theory’. Here are three methods reviewed to clear the understanding: theories,
models and conceptual frameworks. Language plays an important role in scientific
research.
A theory is commonly defined as an analytic structure or system that attempts to
explain a particular set of empirical phenomena. Highlighted are a few aspects of the
notion of theory:
1. A theory is constructed to provide a coherent explanation of a set of observed
phenomena
2. Theories make assumptions and draw logic derivations.
3. A theory should be formulated in a way that it makes clear how it can be
refuted or falsified.
4. The ultimate test of theory is achieved by comparing its predictions to reality.
Models implies a formulation that
1. Derives predictions based on clearly specified assumptions
2. Is precise and falsifiable
The major difference between theory and model are the first and fourth point
described before. A model does not provide an explanation of the phenomena and
does not make a claim about truth
Models and theories differ from conceptual frameworks because they make testable
predictions. The criteria for conceptual framework is.
1. Provides a structure to organize observations
2. Described the structure in a clear and precise manner
Both languages, mathematics and narratives, are needed for contributing to
knowledge.
