The DOI matches its Crossref record; 107 of the 107 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Strategies for Theorizing from Process Data
Abstract
In this article I describe and compare a number of alternative generic strategies for the analysis of process data, looking at the consequences of these strategies for emerging theories. I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies in terms of their capacity to generate theory that is accurate, parsimonious, general, and useful and suggest that method and theory are inextricably intertwined, that multiple strategies are often advisable, and that no analysis strategy will produce theory without an uncodifiable creative leap, however small. Finally, I argue that there is room in the organizational research literature for more openness within the academic community toward a variety of forms of coupling between theory and data.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Citations
Cites
Lincoln, Y. S., Guba, E. G., & Pilotta, J. J. (1985) · International Journal of Intercultural Relations · doi:10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8 · Cited by 45,787
Handbook of Qualitative Research
Crozier, G., Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (1994) · British Journal of Educational Studies · doi:10.2307/3121684 · Cited by 26,666
The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017) · Aldine (Routledge reprint) · doi:10.4324/9780203793206 · Cited by 25,789
Basics of Qualitative Research
Ozanne, J. L., Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1992) · Journal of Marketing Research · doi:10.1177/002224379202900312 · Cited by 17,864
Basics of Qualitative Research
Ozanne, J. L., Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1992) · Journal of Marketing Research · doi:10.2307/3172751 · Cited by 17,852
Building Theories from Case Study Research
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989) · The Academy of Management Review · doi:10.2307/258557 · Cited by 17,455
(2008) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-77282-0_6 · Cited by 17,411
(1990) · Cited by 11,110
(1969) · Virtual Defense Library (Ministerio de Defensa) · Cited by 10,735
Powers, C. H., & Giddens, A. (1988) · Social Forces · doi:10.2307/2579442 · Cited by 8,854
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 3,501–3,600 of 7,502
Organizational Contexts for Union Renewal
Yu, K. (2014) · Relations industrielles · doi:10.7202/1026756ar · Cited by 10
Lauterbach, J., Kahrau, F., Müller, B., & Maedche, A. (2014) · MADOC (University of Mannheim) · Cited by 10
Technological development and challenges in strategizing organizational change
Yeo, R. K., & Ajam, M. Y. (2010) · International journal of organizational analysis · doi:10.1108/19348831011062148 · Cited by 10
Investigating Failures in Large-scale Public Sector Projects with Sentiment Analysis
Purao, S., Desouza, & Becker (2012) · e-Service Journal · doi:10.2979/eservicej.8.2.84 · Cited by 10
Jacobsson, M., & Wilson, T. L. (2014) · Management Decision · doi:10.1108/md-02-2014-0075 · Cited by 10
The take-off of an interactive innovation: Evidence from China
Zhang, M. Y., & Gao, J. G. (2011) · Technological Forecasting and Social Change · doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2011.02.004 · Cited by 10
Bonnedahl, K. J., & Jensen, T. (2007) · The International Review of Retail Distribution and Consumer Research · doi:10.1080/09593960701368846 · Cited by 10
Leading global IT-enabled change across cultures
Iveroth, E. (2012) · European Management Journal · doi:10.1016/j.emj.2011.12.002 · Cited by 10
Comment apprécier la compétence d’un auditeur interne ? L’opinion des membres du comité d’audit
Roussy, M. (2013) · Télescope Revue d’analyse comparée en administration publique · doi:10.7202/1013774ar · Cited by 10
Towards a Theoretical Framework for Organizational Innovation.
Dreiling, A., & Recker, J. (2013) · Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) · Cited by 10
Delacour, H., & Leca, B. L. (2011) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511790393.002 · Cited by 10
Mobilizing Human and Social Capital under Industry Contexts to Pursue High-tech Entrepreneurship
Hsiao, Y., Hung, S.-C., Chen, C., & Dong, T.-P. (2013) · Innovation · doi:10.5172/impp.2013.15.4.515 · Cited by 10
The stereotyping of tourism management students in a business school setting
Tung, V. W. S., & King, B. E. M. (2016) · Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism · doi:10.1080/15313220.2015.1116423 · Cited by 10
Deliberation Makes a Difference
Zhu, X., Baloh, J., Ward, M. M., & Stewart, G. L. (2015) · Medical Care Research and Review · doi:10.1177/1077558715607349 · Cited by 10
State Mediation in Market Emergence: Socially Responsible Investing in China
Yan, S., & Ferraro, F. (2016) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s0733-558x201600048b005 · Cited by 10
Managing business networks for value creation in facilities and their external environments
Artto, K. A., Ahola, T., Kyrö, R., & Peltokorpi, A. (2017) · Facilities · doi:10.1108/f-07-2015-0049 · Cited by 10
Touati, N., Rodríguez, C., Paquette, M.-A., & Denis, J. (2017) · Health An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health Illness and Medicine · doi:10.1177/1363459317724852 · Cited by 10
Architectural knowledge generation: evidence from a field study†
Tuna, S., Brusoni, S., & Schulze, A. (2018) · Industrial and Corporate Change · doi:10.1093/icc/dty041 · Cited by 10
Lindsay, R. M. (2018) · Accounting Perspectives · doi:10.1111/1911-3838.12188 · Cited by 10
Position taking and field level change: Capability Brown and the changing British landscape
Wild, A. M., Lockett, A., & Currie, G. (2019) · Human Relations · doi:10.1177/0018726719828436 · Cited by 10
Improving the M&A Decision-Making Process: Learning from Serial Acquirers
Weber, M., zu Knyphausen‐Aufseß, D., & Schweizer, L. (2019) · Schmalenbach Business Review · doi:10.1007/s41464-019-00077-8 · Cited by 10
Breton, M., Smithman, M. A., Liddy, C. E., Keely, E., Farrell, G., Singer, A. G., Lamoureux‐Lamarche, C., Pilon, M. D., Nabelsi, V., Gaboury, I., et al. (2019) · Health Research Policy and Systems · doi:10.1186/s12961-019-0483-5 · Cited by 10
The tension between intention and attention
Doornich, J. B., Kaarbøe, K., & Bourmistrov, A. (2019) · Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management · doi:10.1108/qram-06-2017-0056 · Cited by 10
Formas organizacionales feministas en la implementación de políticas públicas
Caicedo-Muñoz, S. (2019) · Revista Estudos Feministas · doi:10.1590/1806-9584-2019v27n357211 · Cited by 10
Conceptual Metaphors in MicroFoundations of Institutional Theory
Boxenbaum, E. (2019) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s0733-558x2019000065b023 · Cited by 10
Shahzad, K., Khurram, A., & Memon, M. A. (2019) · Strategic Change · doi:10.1002/jsc.2300 · Cited by 10
“Wag the Dog” initiatives and the corporate immune system
Schweizer, R., & Lagerström, K. (2019) · Multinational Business Review · doi:10.1108/mbr-07-2019-0059 · Cited by 10
The development of microfinance in Cameroon: Focus on regulation
Singhe, S. S., & Louche, C. (2020) · Strategic Change · doi:10.1002/jsc.2333 · Cited by 10
Research Design and Methodology
Sniukas, M. (2020) · Contributions to management science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50100-6_3 · Cited by 10
Lupina‐Wegener, A., Liang, S., van Dick, R., & Ullrich, J. (2020) · Journal of Organizational Change Management · doi:10.1108/jocm-08-2019-0260 · Cited by 10
Organiser la création de connaissance pour l’innovation de rupture
Cabanes, B., Masson, P. L., & Weil, B. (2020) · Revue française de gestion · doi:10.3166/rfg.2020.00420 · Cited by 10
Kemell, K.-K., Ravaska, V., Nguyen‐Duc, A., & Abrahamsson, P. (2020) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-64148-1_25 · Cited by 10
Brown, A. (2020) · Management Learning · doi:10.1177/1350507620972235 · Cited by 10
The role of (dynamic) capabilities in the transformation of a multi-organizational setting
Paavola, L. J. (2021) · Journal of Evolutionary Economics · doi:10.1007/s00191-021-00722-x · Cited by 10
Praised from birth: social approval assets in the creation of a new university
Aula, H.-M., & Siltaoja, M. E. (2021) · Baltic Journal of Management · doi:10.1108/bjm-04-2020-0103 · Cited by 10
Inside the Velvet Glove: Sustaining Private Regulatory Institutions Through Hollowing and Fortifying
Buchanan, S., & Barnett, M. L. (2021) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2021.1537 · Cited by 10
Gersch, M. (2021) · Vahlen eBooks · doi:10.15358/9783800665631 · Cited by 10
Intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration process
Thelisson, A., & Meïer, O. (2022) · European Business Review · doi:10.1108/ebr-05-2021-0104 · Cited by 10
Heuristics and farm heterogeneity: Evidence from small-scale farmers in Brazil
Gomes, L. A. D. V., Saes, M. S. M., Nunes, R., & Vilpoux, O. F. (2022) · Journal of Rural Studies · doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.04.010 · Cited by 10
Elsahn, Z., & Earl, A. (2022) · Journal of International Management · doi:10.1016/j.intman.2022.100957 · Cited by 10
Granheimer, K., Gustavsson, T. K., & Eriksson, P. E. (2022) · Engineering Construction & Architectural Management · doi:10.1108/ecam-01-2022-0055 · Cited by 10
Problem Structuring Methods: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
Franco, L. A., & Rouwette, E. A. J. A. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-96935-6_23 · Cited by 10
Nesse, S. (2022) · Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies · doi:10.1177/15480518221115036 · Cited by 10
The brand manager as practical author. An empirical study of the co-creation of a CSR-based brand
Hansen, H., Jensen, A., & Maagaard, C. A. (2022) · Journal of Brand Management · doi:10.1057/s41262-022-00284-8 · Cited by 10
Vos, W., Janssen, M. M., van Boekel, L. C., Leenders, R., & Luijkx, K. G. (2022) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2022.2108942 · Cited by 10
Coping with Chaos: Bricolage and Management at Fukushima Daiichi
Gisquet, E., & Duymedjian, R. (2022) · International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction · doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103224 · Cited by 10
Awad, M. H., Sanchez, M., & Abikenari, M. A. (2022) · Journal of Business Venturing Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jbvi.2022.e00337 · Cited by 10
Managing buyer-supplier conflict when one party dominates: A process study
Newell, W. J., & Ellegaard, C. (2022) · Industrial Marketing Management · doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.09.025 · Cited by 10
Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen, P., Niemimaa, E., Rantakari, A., & Helander, N. (2022) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.12893 · Cited by 10
Aspara, J., Lamberg, J., Sihvonen, A., & Tikkanen, H. (2023) · Academy of Management Discoveries · doi:10.5465/amd.2019.0067 · Cited by 10
The role of power and future resources in the institutionalisation of the Norwegian oil economy
Øvald, C. B., Callegari, B., & Nybakk, E. (2023) · Energy Research & Social Science · doi:10.1016/j.erss.2022.102930 · Cited by 10
Zhang, L., Fu, Y., Lu, W., & Liu, J. (2023) · International Journal of Conflict Management · doi:10.1108/ijcma-09-2022-0157 · Cited by 10
Floris, M., Dettori, A., & Reginato, E. (2023) · National Accounting Review · doi:10.3934/nar.2023006 · Cited by 10
Parush, T., & Zaidman, N. (2023) · International Studies of Management and Organization · doi:10.1080/00208825.2023.2230418 · Cited by 10
TMT's cognitive frame and breakthrough innovation
Yang, X., & Shao, Y. (2023) · Management Decision · doi:10.1108/md-07-2022-1014 · Cited by 10
Sghari, A., Chaabouni, J., & Baile, S. (2015) · Management & Avenir · doi:10.3917/mav.078.0015 · Cited by 10
Pandey, S. C., & Dutta, A. (2015) · International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development · doi:10.1504/ijkbd.2015.069457 · Cited by 10
Boutinot, A., & Mangematin, V. (2013) · European Management Journal · doi:10.1016/j.emj.2013.03.001 · Cited by 10
Studying Implementation of Dual Diagnosis Services: A Review
Sylvain, C., & Lamothe, L. (2013) · Journal of Dual Diagnosis · doi:10.1080/15504263.2013.771809 · Cited by 10
Sonsino, S. (2005) · Organization Management Journal · doi:10.1057/omj.2005.25 · Cited by 10
Institutional judo: how entrepreneurs use institutional forces to create change
Hansen, H., Randolph, A. F., Chen, S., Robinson, R. E., Marin, A., & Lee, J. H. (2015) · Journal of Organizational Change Management · doi:10.1108/jocm-05-2015-0074 · Cited by 10
Towards effective socially critical environmental education: stories from primary classrooms
Edwards, J. (2013) · Environmental Education Research · doi:10.1080/13504622.2012.736477 · Cited by 10
A bricolage perspective on healthcare information systems design
Teoh, S. Y., Wickramasinghe, N. S., & Pan, S. L. (2012) · ACM SIGMIS Database the DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems · doi:10.1145/2351848.2351852 · Cited by 10
Intrafirm Variation and Change in the Political Strategies of a Multidivisional Firm
Skippari, M. (2005) · International Studies of Management and Organization · doi:10.1080/00208825.2005.11043736 · Cited by 10
Nimtrakool, K., Chanut, O., & Grandval, S. (2014) · Logistique & Management · doi:10.1080/12507970.2014.11517062 · Cited by 10
Gond, J., & Piani, V. (2013) · Critical studies on corporate responsibility, governance and sustainability · doi:10.1108/s2043-9059(2013)0000005010 · Cited by 10
Methods for Tracking and Trailing Change
Stensaker, I. G. (2013) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s0897-3016(2013)0000021008 · Cited by 10
METODE TRANSFER PENGETAHUAN PADA PERUSAHAAN KELUARGA DI INDONESIA
Kusuma, G. H. (2016) · MODUS · doi:10.24002/modus.v27i2.552 · Cited by 10
The Unfolding of Value Sources During Online Business Model Transformation
Hoßbach, N., Wiener, M., & Saunders, C. (2016) · Journal of Business Models · doi:10.5278/ojs.jbm.v4i2.1623 · Cited by 10
Götz, M. A., & Jankowska, B. (2017) · Post-Communist Economies · doi:10.1080/14631377.2017.1361695 · Cited by 10
Ethics from Below: Secrecy and the Maintenance of Ethics
Younès, D., Courpasson, D., & Jacob, M.-R. (2018) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-018-4029-5 · Cited by 10
Evaluating and extending SCALERS: Implications for social entrepreneurs
Gauthier, J., Ruane, S. G., & Berry, G. R. (2018) · Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship · doi:10.1080/08276331.2018.1498260 · Cited by 10
Sjöberg, D., Karp, S., & Rantatalo, O. (2019) · International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training · doi:10.13152/ijrvet.6.1.3 · Cited by 10
An “extra life” for the arcade? Entrepreneurship, hybridization, and industry renewal
Roundy, P. T. (2020) · Journal of Business Venturing Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jbvi.2020.e00178 · Cited by 10
Success or failure? Making sense of outcomes in a public sector change project
Hagebakken, G., Olsen, T. H., & Solstad, E. (2020) · Journal of Management & Organization · doi:10.1017/jmo.2020.19 · Cited by 10
Hilkamo, O., Barbe, A.-S., Granqvist, N., & Geurts, A. (2021) · Technology Analysis and Strategic Management · doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1931098 · Cited by 10
Managing service innovations at online travel agencies: evidence from China
Yu, M. H., Bossink, B. A. G., Vinig, T. G., & You, S. (2021) · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology · doi:10.1108/jhtt-08-2020-0190 · Cited by 10
Towards process research: Presuppositions and the vine metaphor
Medlin, C. J. (2022) · Industrial Marketing Management · doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.08.005 · Cited by 10
The Process of ISD Methodology Selection and Use: A Case Study
Carroll, J. M. (2003) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems · Cited by 10
Pedrini, M., Bramanti, V., Ferri, L. M., & Minciullo, M. (2015) · VOLUNTAS International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations · doi:10.1007/s11266-015-9614-y · Cited by 10
Institutional entrepreneurs on opportunity formation and exploitation in strategic new industry
Cao, X., Liu, Y., & Cao, C. (2014) · International Journal of Emerging Markets · doi:10.1108/ijoem-09-2012-0109 · Cited by 10
Pajunen, K. (2006) · Leadership · doi:10.1177/1742715006066025 · Cited by 10
Technology assimilation through conjunctures – a look at IS use in retail
Rao, R. A., & Dé, R. (2014) · Information Systems Frontiers · doi:10.1007/s10796-014-9510-9 · Cited by 10
Managing IT implementation processes
Nilsson, A. (2006) · International Journal of Business Information Systems · doi:10.1504/ijbis.2007.011415 · Cited by 10
Methodological thinking in psychology: Starting from mixed methods
Arcidiacono, F., & Gregorio, E. D. (2008) · International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches · doi:10.5172/mra.455.2.1.118 · Cited by 10
Lui, S. S.-Y., & Lü, Y. (2002) · Asia Pacific Journal of Management · doi:10.1023/a:1020513525482 · Cited by 10
Toward the theory of temporary competitive advantage in internationalization
Ahokangas, P., Juho, A., & Haapanen, L. (2010) · Advances in applied business strategy · doi:10.1108/s0749-6826(2010)0000012008 · Cited by 10
Business models in rail infrastructure: explaining innovation
Lovell, K., & Nightingale, P. (2016) · Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport · doi:10.1680/jtran.16.00024 · Cited by 10
The Rationales of Lawyers, Accountants and Financial Analysts in Shaping the EU Agenda on CSR
Monciardini, D. (2016) · CSR, sustainability, ethics & governance · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-43536-7_1 · Cited by 10
Rosales, V. (2020) · Journal of Health Organization and Management · doi:10.1108/jhom-12-2019-0342 · Cited by 10
Ma, X., & Loeh, H. (2007) · International Journal of Technology Management · doi:10.1504/ijtm.2007.013501 · Cited by 10
Think Globally, Act Locally: Towards an Adaptive Model of Dyadic Negotiations in OrganizationsPreprint
Olekalns, M., & Weingart, L. R. (2003) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.398140 · Cited by 10
Managing Social Impact Bonds: Intermediary Work and Designing Institutional Infrastructure
Logue, D. M., Höllerer, M. A., Clegg, S., Millner, R., & Jebabli, J. (2024) · Journal of Management Inquiry · doi:10.1177/10564926241274328 · Cited by 9
Getting your message across? The evolution of leader vision and managed pluralisation of leadership
Kislov, R., Bresnen, M., & Harvey, G. (2024) · Human Relations · doi:10.1177/00187267241301720 · Cited by 9
Shroff, A. (2024) · FIIB Business Review · doi:10.1177/23197145241304274 · Cited by 9
Desperate Journeys to Europe: Sensebreaking in Extreme Contexts
Chaudhry, A., & Amis, J. (2025) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.13174 · Cited by 9
Firms as Quasi-Traditions: The Moral Backbone of Social Legacy
Burton, N., Sinnicks, M., Hedley, C., Cruz, A. D., Wong, N. D., & Smith, A. D. A. (2025) · Academy of Management Perspectives · doi:10.5465/amp.2023.0296 · Cited by 9
Integral Human Development Through Culture: The Olivetti Blueprint for Unleashing Creative Forces
Fioravante, R., Vaccaro, A., & Baldo, M. D. (2025) · Business Ethics the Environment & Responsibility · doi:10.1111/beer.12807 · Cited by 9
Desired and Feared Identities and Their Role in Occupational Identity Regulation
Page‐Jones, S., & Brown, A. D. (2025) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.13242 · Cited by 9
Persisting under pressure: How organizations coordinate their response to disruptive innovation
Keyser, B. D., & Vandenbempt, K. (2025) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2025.105275 · Cited by 9
Metadata
- Authors
- Langley, A.
- Affiliations
- Université du Québec à Montréal (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Langley, Ann
- ORCID
- Langley, Ann
- Venue
- The Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1999-10
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 691
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2115497642
- Semantic Scholar
- 419fd94ab6cccf99829edebee437ef9755829fba
- Cited by
- 7,008
- References
- 106
- Citations by year
- 2026: 578 · 2025: 535 · 2024: 482 · 2023: 445 · 2022: 507 · 2021: 504 · 2020: 450 · 2019: 398 · 2018: 374 · 2017: 329 · 2016: 267 · 2015: 289 · 2014: 283 · 2013: 261 · 2012: 231
- FWCI
- 28.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Business Strategies and Management Research
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Business and International Management › Business and Management Studies
- Keywords
- process data, theorizing, theory generation, parsimony, generalizability, organizational analysis
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review