Building theory about theory building: what constitutes a theoretical contribution?
File(s)Corley & Gioia - AMR 2011 - Theoretical contribution.pdf (152.13 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Corley, Kevin G
Gioia, Dennis A
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We distill existing literature on theoretical contribution into two dimensions, originality (incremental or revelatory) and utility (scientific or practical). We argue for a revision in the way scholars approach the utility dimension by calling for a view of theorizing that would enable theories with more “scope” (both scientific and practical utility). We also argue for an orientation toward “prescience” as a way of achieving scope and fulfilling our scholarly role of facilitating organizational and societal adaptiveness.
Date Issued
2011-01
Date Acceptance
2011-01-01
Citation
Academy of Management Review, 2011, 36 (1), pp.12-32
ISSN
0363-7425
Publisher
Academy of Management
Start Page
12
End Page
32
Journal / Book Title
Academy of Management Review
Volume
36
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© Academy of Management Review
Identifier
https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amr.2009.0486
Subjects
1503 Business and Management
1505 Marketing
Business & Management
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2011-01-01