INDUCTIVE TOP-DOWN THEORIZING: A SOURCE OF NEW THEORIES OF ORGANIZATION

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Shepherd, Dean A.; Sutcliffe, Kathleen M.
• 署名单位: Indiana University System; Indiana University Bloomington; IU Kelley School of Business; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan
• 刊物名称: ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0363-7425
• DOI: 10.5465/AMR.2011.59330952
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 361-380
• 关键词: CONSISTENCY THEORIES; management; coherence; OPPORTUNITIES; CONSTRUCTION; CONSTITUTES; integration; consensus; cognition; METAPHOR

摘要

Building on coherence theory and a pragmatist tradition, we offer an inductive model of top-down theorizing that can be a source of new theories of organization. We explain how an initial hypothesis is refined to enhance its potential contribution (consistent with abduction). But, unlike abduction, we explain how inquiry begins-how research tensions are carved out of the flux of the vast literature-and how constant comparison facilitates an abductive process.