Theory Flashcards
Value of Theory / Potential and Challenges
Theories can help to:
• describe phenomena in a complex world using well-defined terms
• understand and explain the nature of these phenomena
• predict the effects of specific actions
Potential for theory application:
• structuration aid for complex organizational phenomena
• detection device for important relationships in organizations
• awareness creator for organizational problem areas
Challenges of theory application:
• high level of abstraction
• strong focus on specific aspects of human or organizational behavior
• limited generalizability and predictive validity as reliant on certain boundary
conditions
Political Decision Making
Rational Actor Model (grounded in economics):
o Assumption: Actors are fully rational, consider all possible options, have complete information and maximize their utility by evaluating all possible
options
• Organizational Process Model (grounded in cognitive science):
o Assumptions: Actors have bounded rationality, consider subset of options, are limited in their attention, time and other resources, processes incomplete information, satisfice rather than maximize, follow routines, rely on preexisting
plans and limit short-term uncertainty
• Governmental Politics Model (grounded in psychology):
o Assumptions: Actors engage in extensive negotiations and coalition building, need to build consensus and broad support, differ in their personal interests, personality and emotions, can be influenced by social entourage
→ DANGER OF ADOPTING A SINGLE DOMINANT RATIONAL ACTOR PERSPECTIVE
Essence of Theory
- Theories can be described as abstract systems of interconnected statements to explain elements of reality
- Theories can be conceptualized as bundles of if-then statements
- Theories can be understood as terminological networks
A theory at the most basic level is made of:
• At least two theoretical constructs (A and B)
• One construct (explanans) is assumed to explain the other (explanandum)
• The link between the two (the proposed connection) is called the proposition
Theory objectives:
• Generalizability – validity in broad array of context
• Comprehensiveness – inclusion of all relevant factors
• Parsimony – Focus on essential concepts
• Accuracy – Accuracy in explanation and prediction
→ IMPORATANT TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN THESE OBJECTIVES
Evaluation Criteria:
• Falsifiability – can propositions be disproved? Are propositions tautological?
• Empirical Support – how intense have verification efforts been? How strong is the supporting evidence?
• Validity – Do variables truly capture the underlying construct?
• Reliability – can measurement results be replicated
Theoretical Pluralism
Reasons for the existence of multiple theories:
• Heterogeneous phenomena of interest
• Diverse and complex research questions
• Diverging knowledge creation objectives (some researchers want to test a theory, others want to improve and incrementally change a theory)
• Wide-ranging disciplinary influences (researchers with a background of economics, sociology, biology, psychology and cognitive sciences)
• Differences in theoretical and methodical training
• Distinct epistemological positions
Value of multiple theories:
• Availability of broad array of specialized tools to examine wide set of research questions
• Availability of different – often complementary perspectives – to understand complex organizational phenomena
• Availability of different “fishing nets” to develop more comprehensive and balanced
explanations of multifaceted organizational phenomena
• Possibility of theoretical triangulation (use of different theories to explain same underlying phenomenon)
→ “IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PHENOMENON HOLISTICALLY YOU NEED TO HAVE
MULTIPLE FISHING NETS AVAILABLE TO YOU.”
