The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Theory Construction as Disciplined Imagination
Abstract
The process of theory construction in organizational studies is portrayed as imagination disciplined by evolutionary processes analogous to artificial selection. The quality of theory produced is predicted to vary as a function of the accuracy and detail present in the problem statement that triggers theory building, the number of and independence among the conjectures that attempt to solve the problem, and the number and diversity of selection criteria used to test the conjectures. It is argued that interest is a substitute for validation during theory construction, middle range theories are a necessity if the process is to be kept manageable, and representations such as metaphors are inevitable, given the complexity of the subject matter.
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Citations
Cites
Blind variation and selective retentions in creative thought as in other knowledge processes
Campbell, D. T. (1960) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/h0040373 · Cited by 2,329
Cited by
Strategies for Theorizing from Process Data
Langley, A. (1999) · The Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.1999.2553248 · Cited by 7,008
Core capabilities and core rigidities: A paradox in managing new product development
Leonard-Barton, D. (1992) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250131009 · Cited by 6,477
The Nature of Theory in Information Systems1
Gregor, S. (2006) · MIS Quarterly · doi:10.2307/25148742 · Cited by 3,306
Multiparadigm perspectives on theory building
Gioia, D. A., & Pitre, E. (1990) · The Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.1990.4310758 · Cited by 1,426
EDITOR'S COMMENTS: CONSTRUCT CLARITY IN THEORIES OF MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Suddaby, R. (2010) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.2010.51141319 · Cited by 984
Metadata
- Authors
- Weick, K. E.
- Venue
- The Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1989-10
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 516
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2070717504
- Cited by
- 2,134
- References
- 1
- FWCI
- 11.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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