Capturing causal complexity: Heuristics for configurational theorizing
Open accessAbstract
Management scholars study phenomena marked by complex interdependencies where multiple explanatory factors combine to bring about an outcome of interest. Yet, theorizing about causal complexity can prove challenging for the correlational theorizing that is predominant in the field of management, given its “net effects thinking” that emphasizes the unique contribution of individual explanatory factors. In contrast, configurational theories and thinking are well-suited to explaining causally complex phenomena. In this article, we seek to advance configurational theorizing by providing a model of the configurational theorizing process which consists of three iterative stages—scoping, linking and naming. In each stage, we develop and offer several heuristics aimed at stimulating configurational theorizing. That is, these theorizing heuristics are intended to help scholars discover configurations of explanatory factors, probe the connections among these factors, and articulate the orchestrating themes that underpin their coherence. We conclude with a discussion of how configurational theorizing advances theory development in the field of management and organizations, and beyond.
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It is vital to understand how diverse configurations can produce similar outcomes and how these configurations are shaped by equifinality and conjunctural causation.
“Rather, it is vital to understand how diverse configurations can produce similar outcomes and how these configurations are shaped by factors like equifinality - the principle that in open systems, a given end state can be reached by many potential means or paths - and conjunctural causation -the idea that multiple conditions can interact in a specific context to produce a partic”
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- Authors
- Furnari, S., Crilly, D., Misangyi, V. F., Greckhamer, T., Fiss, P. C., & Aguilera, R. V.
- Affiliations
- City, University of London (GB)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Louisiana State University (US)
- University of Southern California (US)
- Northeastern University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Fiss, Peer C.
- Venue
- Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 2021-10
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 778-799
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- 1930-3807
- OpenAlex
- W3031530685
- Cited by
- 861
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 212 · 2025: 189 · 2024: 164 · 2023: 132 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 98.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Academy of Management Review (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
- City Research Online (City University London) (acceptedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Business Strategies and Management Research
- Keywords
- causal complexity, configuration theory, theory development
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