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 7,401–7,500 of 7,502
Huang, X., Yang, Y., & Huang, X. (2026) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su182010395
da Silva, R. M., Popadiuk, S., & Franklin, M. A. (2026) · Revista de Gestão · doi:10.1108/rege-10-2025-0160
Reyes-Sarmiento, M. E., Bispo, M. D. S., Schmidt, H. M., & Gonzales–Miranda, D. R. (2026) · Innovar · doi:10.15446/innovar.v36n102.130256
Crafting and recrafting the self: Cycles of identity struggle in job crafting
Tucker, D. A., & Hendy, J. (2026) · Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1111/joop.70159
Polycrisis entrepreneurship – Theoretical & methodological challenges and opportunities
Klyver, K. (2026) · Journal of Business Venturing Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jbvi.2026.e00679
Yoganandan, G., & Monisha, S. R. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7611580
Selten, F., van Loo, D., & Klievink, B. (2026) · Public Administration Review · doi:10.1111/puar.70231
Capability evolution as a cyclical process: reframing the dynamic capabilities lifecycle
Sibindi, N. (2026) · International journal of organizational analysis · doi:10.1108/ijoa-05-2026-6998
Recursive nested innovation outcomes in AI-enabled learning: the role of capability renewal
Priyono, A., Paputungan, I. V., & Moin, A. (2026) · International Journal of Innovation Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijis.2026.100233
Building Frontier Science Capacity: Research Infrastructure Building in China’s Innovation SystemPreprint
Wei, Q., & Yang, W. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7616069
Global clouds, local constraints: the dual hedging dilemma of cloud adoption in emerging economies
Thobejane, M. C., & Thobejane, N. W. (2026) · SN Business & Economics · doi:10.1007/s43546-026-01500-2
Cycles and waves of internationalization : an event system theory perspective
Campos, L. (2023) · Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide)
Bayazıt, Z. E. (2026) · Journal of Management History · doi:10.1108/jmh-01-2026-0015
Organizational change to survive: Hybridization as a growth strategy for cooperatives
Séran, T., Buendía‐Martínez, I., Naro, G., & Gurǎu, C. (2026) · Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management · doi:10.1016/j.jcom.2026.100308
Negotiating Completion in Agentic Software Work: Acceptance Boundaries and Deferred Requirements
Ling, M., Zou, J., & Liu, X. (2026) · Systems · doi:10.3390/systems14101312
From Hamartia to adaptation: Sequencing entrepreneurial learning from failure
Smyth, D., & Jiang, Y. D. (2026) · European Management Journal · doi:10.1016/j.emj.2026.10.005
Ma, X., & Cai, C. (2026) · Emotion, space and society · doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2026.101238
Jung, S. K., & Lee, S. (2026) · Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation · doi:10.1007/s12247-026-11129-1
Ethnographic Theorizing in Human Resource Management: From Theory‐as‐Design to Theory‐in‐Use
Lee, J., & Jörden, N. (2026) · Human Resource Management · doi:10.1002/hrm.70103
Unwilful Regulatory Work: Defining Appropriate Generative AI Use in Higher Education
van den Broek, E. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Nordlander, J. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Integrering av helhetlig risikostyring med balansert målstyring
Meidell, A. (2026) · Praktisk økonomi & ledelse · doi:10.18261/pol.42.4.4
Quo Vadis (IT) Strategy? Rethinking Strategy Within Digital Logic
Piccoli, G., Lyytinen, K., & Grover, V. (2026) · MIS Quarterly · doi:10.25300/misq/2026/19274
The Influence of Regulatory Intermediaries on AI Deployment in Organizations
Yeow, A. Y. K., Soh, C. W. L., Balete, C., & Lim, W.-K. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Meurer, M., & Honecker, F. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Wise Guys Into Informants: An Ethnography of Adversarial Expertise
Friedl, C. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Platforms that Build Entrepreneurs: Generative Market Infrastructure in Rural Africa
Reficco, E., Layrisse, F., & Bonina, C. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Long, Y., Rieger, A., Roth, T., FRANK, M.-L., & Sykes, T. A. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Rolfes, T., Wuttke, T., & Uebernickel, F. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
KIETZMANN, M. V. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Beyond Fit: An Organizational Flux Theory of AI Governance
Zantedeschi, D., & Bhattacherjee, A. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Layered Temporality in Digital Service Innovation
Elo, J., Jalo, H., Torro, O., & Pirkkalainen, H. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Innovations Under Fire: Strategic Responses to Patent Trolls in Digital Ecosystems
Au, C. H., Hossain, M. N., & Chou, C. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Li, G., Au, C. H., & Chou, C. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Kesselaar, L. (2026) · Open University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town)
Kroon, D. P., Thomas, M., Durand, M., & Diduc, S. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7649980
Naisa, F. U. K., 赵梓翔, Emam, N. G. H., alazm, M. A. Z. A., Abdesalam, F. G. S., Sani, A. A., Abdullahi, M. S., & Ado, A. B. (2026) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-026-09475-z
When volunteer mobilization outpaces coordination: workflow repair in disaster response
Lo, D. (2026) · Disaster Prevention and Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/dpm-07-2026-0384
It's in the Small Steps: Navigating Knotted Change‐Stability Tensions in Complex Collaborations
Stadtler, L., & Wassenhove, L. N. V. (2026) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.70181
McQuaid, S., & Rhodes, M. L. (2026) · Public Management Review · doi:10.1080/14719037.2026.2738181
Chen, S., & Yan, Q. (2026) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2025.0366
Resolving the “privacy paradox” in digital tourism: A decision process lens
Ying, T., Zhou, S., Ye, S., Tingyun, S. U. N., & Shihan, M. A. (2026) · Tourism Management · doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2026.105555
Configurational recognition: how interpretive possibilities take shape in qualitative analysis
Pagliarussi, M. S. (2026) · Qualitative Research Journal · doi:10.1108/qrj-05-2026-0245
Xia, Z. M., Li, X. M., Xie, K., Xiao, J., & Cao, W. (2026) · Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science · doi:10.1007/s11747-026-01206-9
Hung, H.-M. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7662076
Chen, Q., Zhu, L., & Gao, G. (2026) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119984
Craft and Industrialization: Uncovering the Plasticity and Frontier of Craft
Peltoniemi, M., & Sihvonen, A. (2026) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/joms.70183
Su, Y., & Yue, Z. (2026) · Systems · doi:10.3390/systems14111347
Chaves, R., Garzón, C., & Hudon, P. (2026) · Crime Law and Social Change · doi:10.1007/s10611-026-10317-x
Configuring innovation portfolio management practices in an era of emerging digital technologies
Mikkelsen, K., & Breunig, K. J. (2026) · Technovation · doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103752
Major depressive disorder in entrepreneurship: implications for outcomes
Hohen, S. (2026) · Management Decision · doi:10.1108/md-10-2025-3083
Digital Twins as Governance Infrastructures in UNESCO Low-Density Landscapes
Martins, A. V., Ribeiro, L., & Nogueira, E. (2026) · European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance (ECMLG) · doi:10.34190/ecmlg.22.1.5597
Pennesi, A., Guidi, M., & Giuliani, M. (2026) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.71775
Wang, Y., Renken, J., & Cunningham, N. (2026) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Comment la méthodologie qualitative est-elle justifiée dans les revues de gestion ?
Dumez, H., & Minvielle, É. (2026) · Annales des Mines - Gérer et comprendre · doi:10.3917/geco1.hs.0007
Mulder, R., Knies, E., van Harten, J., & Peeters, M. C. W. (2026) · Human Resource Management · doi:10.1002/hrm.70107
Actualizing entrepreneurial futures: Imaginaries, Visions, and the Olivetti Corporation
Magrelli, V., Suddaby, R., Israelsen, T. L., Rondi, E., & Massis, A. D. (2026) · Journal of Business Venturing · doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2026.106661
Constructing sustainability expertise: capital conversion and the making of a sustainability CFO
Jayathileka, C., Hitibandara, R., & Withanage, S. (2026) · Accounting Auditing & Accountability Journal · doi:10.1108/aaaj-10-2025-8426
How Assumptions About Time Divide and Connect Epistemic Communities in Business and Management
Decker, S. (2026) · British Journal of Management · doi:10.1111/1467-8551.70125
Mussinelli, E., Tartaglia, A., Castaldo, G., Sereni, A., Fallas, I., Ntavos, N., Gkiourkas, T., Mavroudi, E., Mandela, E., Plaka, V., et al. (2024) · Virtual Community of Pathological Anatomy (University of Castilla La Mancha)
Osei-Frimpong, K., Amegbe, H., McLean, G., & Berrada, N. (2026) · Journal of Service Research · doi:10.1177/10946705261496818
Discursive Institutional Work and the Social Control of Dangerous Objects
Schlindwein, E. K., Lawrence, T. B., Biscaro, C., & Höllerer, M. A. (2026) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-026-06502-6
Naltsidis, M. (n.d.) · Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Generative AI in ESG Reporting: A Case Study and Process Framework
Singh, N., Lai, K., & Zhang, Z. (2026) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.71795
Long, Y., Rieger, A., Roth, T., FRANK, M.-L., & Sykes, T. A. (2026) · Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Luxembourg)
Raiss, O., Elmoudni, K., & Moufdi, N. (2026) · Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship · doi:10.1108/apjie-11-2025-0165
Enhancing or Transcending the Pipeline? How Incumbents Transition Toward Marketplace Platforms
Engelmann, A., Reischauer, G., & Gawer, A. (2026) · Journal of Product Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/jpim.70063
Data‐driven or structure‐driven: Toward a process model of data behavior in humanities research
Li, W., Zhang, P., Wang, J., & 张久珍 (2026) · Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology · doi:10.1002/asi.70122
Navigating the Family Support Dilemma in Female Entrepreneurship: An Embeddedness Perspective
Hundera, M. B., Habersang, S., & Mensmann, M. (2026) · Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice · doi:10.1177/10422587261496320
Hassanli, N., Jasovska, P., Yu, K., & Guo, H. (2026) · Studies in Higher Education · doi:10.1080/03075079.2026.2751538
Peng, T., Le, Y., & Xue, Y. (2026) · Journal of Management in Engineering · doi:10.1061/jmenea.meeng-7835
Dynamic Capabilities and Business Model Innovation During the Transition from SaaS Toward AI Agents
Zhang, B., Jamaludin, N. A., Yue, S., Lei, X., & Wang, M. (2026) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci16110526
Kola, V., Hasani, E., Kasapi, I., Ulaj, G., Aliu, D., & Drishti, E. (2026) · Administrative Sciences · doi:10.3390/admsci16110549
How does a complementor develop capabilities in a platform-based outsourcing ecosystem
Zou, N., Ma, C., Willcocks, L. P., & Mao, J. (2026) · Journal of Information Technology · doi:10.1177/02683962261501973
Ade, A. (2026) · REAL-PhD (Hungarian Academy of Sciences) · doi:10.15772/andrassy.2026.005
Bourguignon, R., Mias, A., Béthoux, É., Connolly, H., & Tainturier, P. (2026) · European Management Review · doi:10.1111/emre.70120
From vision to reality: How ‘sustainability’ is accomplished in projects
Sabini, L., Muzio, D., & Clegg, S. R. (2026) · European Management Review · doi:10.1111/emre.70119
Kim, G. (n.d.) · PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
Social Agriculture: How Social Media Is Reshaping Agriculture Value Chains in Ghana
Boateng, R., Budu, J., Marfo, J. S., Penu, O. K. A., & Asamoah, P. (2024) · doi:10.64329/qzjo2533
de Mello, F., Teodósio, A. D. S. D. S., & Pereira, R. V. (2026) · Cadernos EBAPE BR · doi:10.1590/1679-395120260040x
From Temporary Projects to Project Lineages: Explaining Continuity Across Projects
Luan, H., Le, Y., & Zhang, X. (2026) · International Journal of Project Management · doi:10.1016/j.ijproman.2026.102935
de Mello, F., Teodósio, A. D. S. D. S., & Pereira, R. V. (2026) · Cadernos EBAPE BR · doi:10.1590/1679-395120260040
The role of legal and managerial competences in the delivery of professional legal services
Stokeld, S. (2011) · OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) · doi:10.48730/xg84-gy82
Wynne, A. J., Murray, M. C., Johnson, R., & Cipolla, J. (2010)
Lopes, M. E., & Ramalho, N. C. (2011) · Zarządzanie Zasobami Ludzkimi
Casey, R. L. (2016) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.2873353
Arasteh, S., & Koczkas, A. (2012) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e502102013-069
Smits, A. A. J., & Kok, R. A. W. (2012) · Radboud Repository (Radboud University)
Hofmann, E., & Prockl, G. G. (2008) · Gabler eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-8350-5570-4_21
Cross-Sector Models of Collaboration for Social Innovation
Ber, L., & Marlene, J. (2010) · Scholarship@Western (Western University)
Tonelli, M. (2009) · QUT Business School
IS to Support Project Management: Implications for Managerial Accounting
Iacoviello, G., & Lazzini, A. (2013) · Lecture notes in information systems and organisation · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-35761-9_16
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