What makes good theories?

Question 1

Popper (1959)

Answer 1

Theories can never be proven…only disproven and must be falsifiable

Question 2

Bacharach (1989)

Answer 2

They are bounded by assumptions about values, time, and space..

values can be inside the theories (their internal orientation/value system)

Primary goal of theory is to answer how, when, and why

Question 3

Sutton & Staw (1995) Five elements that theories are not…

Answer 3

1 ) References

2) Data
3) Variables or construct lists
4) Diagrams
5) Hypotheses

Theories answer WHY

Question 4

What was Weick (1989)’s proscription for developing theory?

Answer 4

Use thought experiments, define in detail problem statements…theory is disciplined imagination

Question 5

What did Weick (1995) have to say about Sutton & Staw’s 1995 article on theory?

Answer 5

They may be a bit too demanding and we should encourage intermittent struggles at theorizing

Question 6

Whetten (1989) What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?

Answer 6

1. What’s new? Significant contribution to current thinking?
2. So what? Will it change practice? Are solutions proposed?
3. Why so? Is the argument compelling?
4. Well Done? Is the conceptual framework thorough? Are there any glaring logical flaws, etc.
5. Done Well? Plain and simple, is it well written?
6. Why now? Is it relevant now?
7. Who cares? Will the readership be interested? Will new research happen as a result?

Question 7

Alvesson & Sandberg (2011)

Answer 7

Problematization - challenge assumptions underlying existing theories

Question 8

What did DiMaggio (1995) have to say about what theories should be?

Answer 8

They should be a hybrid of the following:

(1) laws (e.g., use lots of hypotheses)
(2) Enlightenment (surpirse, enlighten, and excite insights)
(3) Narrative - how and detail (i.e., references, graphics, diagrams)