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Portrait of Mats Alvesson. Photo.

Mats Alvesson

Professor

Portrait of Mats Alvesson. Photo.

Meanings of Theory : Clarifying Theory through Typification

Author

  • Jörgen Sandberg
  • Mats Alvesson

Summary, in English

Developing and evaluating scientific knowledge and its value requires a clear – or at least not too unclear – understanding of what ‘theory’ means. We argue that common definitions of theory are too restrictive, as they do not acknowledge the existence of multiple kinds of scientific knowledge, but largely recognize only one kind as ‘theory’, namely explanatory knowledge. We elaborate a typology that broadens and clarifies the meaning of ‘theory’. Consisting of five basic theory types – explaining, comprehending, ordering, enacting and provoking theories – the typology offers a framework that enables researchers to develop and assess knowledge in more varied ways and for a broader set of purposes than is typically recognized, as well as providing a more level playing field within the academic community.

Department/s

  • Organizational Studies

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Pages

487-516

Publication/Series

Journal of Management Studies

Volume

58

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Philosophy
  • Economics and Business

Keywords

  • scientific knowledge
  • theoretical contribution
  • theory
  • theory development

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0022-2380