Theory building
Definition: The process of creating and developing a statement of concepts and their interrelationships to show how and/or why a phenomenon occurs. Theory building leads to theory testing.
Related terms: Hypothesis, Model (philosophy), Theory, Theoretical contribution, Theoretical model
References:
- Borsboom, D., van der Maas, H., Dalege, J., Kievit, R., & Haig, B. (2020). Theory Construction Methodology: A practical framework for theory formation in psychology. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w5tp8
- Corley, K. G., & Gioia, D. A. (2011). Building theory about theory building: what constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 36(1), 12â32. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2009.0486
- Gioia, D. A., & Pitre, E. (1990). Multiparadigm perspectives on theory building. Academy of Management Review, 15(4), 584â602. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1990.4310758
- Wacker, J. (1998). A definition of theory: research guidelines for different theory-building research methods in operations management. Journal of Operations Management, 16(4), 361â385. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-6963(98)00019-9
Originally drafted by: Filip Dechterenko
Reviewed by: Mahmoud Elsherif, Helena Hartmann, Charlotte R. Pennington