Abstract
Building theories is important for advancing knowledge of management. But it is also a highly challenging task. Although there is a burgeoning literature that offers many theorizing tools, we lack a coherent understanding of how these tools fit together—when to use a particular tool and which combination of tools can be used in the theorizing process. In this article, we organize a systematic review of the literature on theory building in management around the five key elements of a good story: conflict, character, setting, sequence, and plot and arc. In doing so, we hope to provide a richer understanding of how specific theorizing tools facilitate aspects of the theorizing process and offer a clearer big picture of the process of building important theories. We also offer pragmatic empirical theorizing as an approach that uses quantitative empirical findings to stimulate theorizing.
Original language | English |
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Peer-reviewed scientific journal | Journal of Management |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 59-86 |
Number of pages | 28 |
ISSN | 0149-2063 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article - refereed |
Keywords
- 512 Business and Management
- creativity
- entrepreneurship theory
- grounded theory
- philosophy of science