
Mats Alvesson
Professor

Meanings of Theory : Clarifying Theory through Typification
Author
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