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GSM 6190
Theory in Management
Title : What constitutes a theoretical contribution?
Authors : David A.Whetten (University of Illinois)
Published :Academy of Management Review. 1():
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%y : &e'at hariffudin b. ul*ifli (+& ",!$-)
&ohaad /a0if b. a2i Abdul &ubin (+& ",!$3)
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Introduction
The author:
4 e56lained the necessary in'redients of a theoretical
contribution
4 6ro6osed several si6le conce6ts on theory
develo6ent 6rocess4 hel6ed ease the counication 6robles re'ardin'
e56ectation and standards of a 'ood conce6tual
7ritin'
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The article is divided into , sections:
4 What are the buildin' bloc*s of theory develo6ent?
4 What is a le'itiate value added contribution to theory
develo6ent?
4 What factors are considered in 2ud'in' conce6tual6a6ers?
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What are the building blocks of theory develoment!
Theory ust contain four essential eleents:
What"8 7hich factors (variables9 constructs9 conce6ts)should be
considered as 6art of e56lanation of the social and individual6henoena of interest?
T7o ri'ht factors:
1# co6rehensiveness (are all relevant factors included)# 6arsiony (should soe factors be deleted because
they add little additional value to our understandin'?)
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#o$. 8 o7 are the factors related? ;6erationally this
involves usin'
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Why# What are the underlyin' 6sycholo'ical9
econoic9 or social dynaics that 2ustify the selection of
factors and the 6ro6osed causal relationshi6? Therational constitutes the theory=s assu6tions9 the
theoretical 'lue that 7elds the odel to'ether
Who% Where% When8 set boundaries of 'enerali0ability
and constitute the ran'e of the theory. Test the'enerali0ability of core 6ro6ositions. Whether
theoretical effects vary over tie.
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What is a legitimate value added contribution to theorydeveloment!
There are three broad thees:
1"&riti'ues should focus on multile elements of the
theory.
Pro6osed i6roveents addressin' only a sin'le eleent
of an e5istin' theory are seldo 2ud'ed to be sufficient.
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("Theoretical criti'ues should marshal comelling
evidence
# lo'ical: the theory is not internally consistent
# e6irical: its 6redictions are inconsistent 7ith thedata
accuulated fro several studies
# e6isteolo'ical: its assu6tion are invalid9 'iven
inforation fro another field
)"Theoretical criti'ues should roose remedies or
alternatives.
>ritiues should share res6onsibility for craftin' i6roved
conce6tuali0ations.
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What factors are considered in *udging concetual aers!
4 What+s ne$? # does the 6a6er a*e a si'nificant9 value
added contribution to current thin*in'? &odification or
e5tensions of the current theories should alter e5tant@6resentvie7s in i6ortant 7ays. It=s not necessarily loo*in' for ne7
theories
4 So $hat? # The 6ur6ose of the standard theoretical 6a6ershould be to alter research 6ractice9 not si6ly to t7ea* a
conce6tual odel in 7ays that are of little conseuences
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4 Why so? Theory develo6ent 6a6ers should be built on a
foundation of convincin' ar'uentation and 'rounded in
reasonable9 e56licit vie7s of huan nature and
or'ani0ational 6ractice. &ust be lo'ic and su66orted by
co6ellin' evidence.
4 Well done? &ust reflect seasoned thin*in'9 conveyin'
co6leteness and thorou'hness. &ulti6le eleents (7hat9
ho79 7hy9 7hen#7here#7ho) covered9 7ell rounded.Ar'uent ust be broad and current. Bo lo'ical fla7s.
Thou'ht over an e5tended 6eriod of tie. Infored by
e5tensive 6eer revie7.
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4 ,one $ell? &ust flo7 lo'ically. Clo7 lo'ically. >entral ideas
easily accessed. n2oyable to read. Pro6er len'th and forat
4 Why no$? The to6ic of conte6orary interest of scholars in
the area. hould advance current discussions9 stiulate ne7discussions9 or revitali0e old discussions. hould not
redundant9 unconnected or antiuated and
4 Who cares? Pa6ers 7ritten on to6ics 7ith narro7 a66eal areof hi'her standard. They are e56ected to a*e a ore
si'nificant contribution to current thin*in' and research
6ractice.
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&onclusion
4 Theory develo6ent 6rocess and criteria for 2ud'in'
theoretical contributions need to be broadly understood so
that researchers@ contributors as 7ell as revie7ers@editors
can counicate effectively.
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Thank you