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作者：Tsang, Eric W. K.; Ellsaesser, Florian
作者单位：University of Texas System; University of Texas Dallas
摘要：We introduce the theory of contrastive explanation, the core argument of which is that we do not explain an entire phenomenon but only aspects of it. Using the example of transaction cost economics, we illustrate how contrastive explanation can assist organizational researchers in creating, broadening, and deepening their theories through posing suitable contrastive questions. We summarize our discussion into eight heuristic rules that will serve as useful theory-building tools.
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作者：Alvesson, Mats; Sandberg, Joergen
作者单位：Lund University; University of Queensland
摘要：It is increasingly recognized that what makes a theory interesting and influential is that it challenges our assumptions in some significant way. However, established ways for arriving at research questions mean spotting or constructing gaps in existing theories rather than challenging their assumptions. We propose problematization as a methodology for identifying and challenging assumptions underlying existing literature and, based on that, formulating research questions that are likely to le...
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作者：Suddaby, Roy; Hardy, Cynthia; Huy, Quy Nguyen
作者单位：University of Alberta; University of Melbourne
摘要：We summarize the manifest and latent content of the articles that make up the Special Topic Forum on Theory Development. Rather than offering new theories, however, most of the articles offer a series of critical accounts of current organizational theory and a range of novel ideas about the process of theory construction. We conclude by speculating about the institutional barriers to new theory creation and how those barriers might be changed.
