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Cited by 403

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Theory Building: A Review and Integration

Shepherd, Dean A., Suddaby, Roy·2017·Journal of Management
DOI 10.1177/0149206316647102
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Abstract

Building theories is important for advancing knowledge of management. But it is also a highly challenging task. Although there is a burgeoning literature that offers many theorizing tools, we lack a coherent understanding of how these tools fit together—when to use a particular tool and which combination of tools can be used in the theorizing process. In this article, we organize a systematic review of the literature on theory building in management around the five key elements of a good story: conflict, character, setting, sequence, and plot and arc. In doing so, we hope to provide a richer understanding of how specific theorizing tools facilitate aspects of the theorizing process and offer a clearer big picture of the process of building important theories. We also offer pragmatic empirical theorizing as an approach that uses quantitative empirical findings to stimulate theorizing.

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Cited by

Metadata

Authors
Shepherd, D. A., & Suddaby, R.
Venue
Journal of Management
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2016-07-10
Volume
43
Issue
1
Pages
59-86
ISSN
  • 0149-2063 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-1211
DOI
10.1177/0149206316647102
OpenAlex
W2346254413
Cited by
403
References
15
FWCI
22.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)

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