1 toward a theory of theory: toward a theory of theory: the creation & validation of the...
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Toward a Theory of Toward a Theory of Theory:Theory:
The Creation & Validation of the Scholar-Practitioner’s
Closest Friend
Fielding Graduate UniversityHOD Winter Session, January
2007
Steven E. Wallis, [email protected]
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Importance of Theory“practice is never theory-free“there are no facts independent of our theories” Theory is a way to “understand the systemic reasons for a particular occurrence of nonoccurrence.”“a new way to see the world” “a context, a map, and a flashlight that help us find our way home in the dark.”
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Failure of Theory
Social change theory not very effective“Spotty” success of economicsBusiness schools teach information that is largely irrelevant to life outsidePractitioners see little use in theoryEffectiveness of complexity theory used in organizations is inconsistent at best.
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Leads to Failure of Practice
OD - “culture-change” interventions “fail to reach their goals” about 80% of the timePsych. fails to cure Borderline Personality Disorder 70% of the timeTQM - efforts “fail” at least 70% of the time
A Serious Issue!
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Does Theory Help?GONDWONALAND JIGSAW PUZZLE? – to usa map jigsaw puzzle – to elephant puzzle@FILM CLIP OF DUMBOS FEATHER?@
Sure – if its true (in some sense) that we’re all trying to make sense of the world…
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What Theory ISAbstraction of realityWay to change understandingMental ModelSchemaTool to enable change
An ordered set of assertions about a generic behavior of structure assumed to hold
throughout a significantly broad range of specific instances
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What Theory is NOTDataVariablesDiagramHypothesisdescribing, categorizingLimited metaphor (e.g. our firm is like a tree)In Short…not something
“small”
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Five “challenges” to the construction of theory:
1. A theoretical model may address anything.2. Theory is not merely describing,
categorizing, or stating a hypothesis.3. The concept of “Adequacy” relates to an
argument about how the theory is constructed.
4. The concept of “Reality” is about the “real world” testing of the theory.
5. A theoretical model is only scientific if it is put it to an empirical test.
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But the line between theory and non-theory is
fuzzy…
A small idea can turn into a theory very easily by adding another idea, a hypothesis, or proposition…
(e.g. The act of trimming one “branch” of the organization will cause another branch to grow)
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How is Theory Built?
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Priori Posteriori1. existing in the
mind prior to and independent of observation
2. not based on prior study of examination; non-analytic.
(INSIGHT)
1. based upon actual observation or upon experimental data.
2. not existing in the mind prior to or independent of experience.”
(EMPIRICAL)
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Both May be Based on Hidden Assumptions
What assumptions discriminate between what is “empirical” data, and what is not?
What assumptions might underlie a “flash” of insight?
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Priori-Posterior Dichotomy?
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Nonaka’s Social Construction
Individual has phenomenological perceptions (tacit)
Group rationally combines, systemizes & integrates knowledge (becomes explicit)
Tacit perceptions are shared with group (knowledge becomes explicit)
Pragmatic individual internalizes group knowledge (becomes tacit)
(changes perceptions)
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Suggests that Steps are Differentiable, yet
Inseparable
Within each priori is some posteriori
Within each posteriori is some priori
Suggests “Dichotomy” is False
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And Opens the Door for More
Bricolage (mix of ideas, people, etc.)Tacit (known only to self)Vernacular theory (non-academic)Reflective (between person & data)Reflexive (highlight the relationship - e.g. RDA)Grounded theory (explicit relationships between situation, data, concepts)
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Tacit forms of Theory Creation
Socially constructedIntuitive / Schemas / Mental modelsMay be priori, posteriori, or combinationMay be short-livedNot shared with group / OpaqueMay not be known to the individual?Burrell’s “retro-organizational” theory
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Leads me to Wonder…
Tacit theory creation pushes the limits of our understanding – suggesting (perhaps) a form of “proto theory” or “virtual theory”
In what ways might a set of “hidden assumptions” be seen as similar or different than “theory?”
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Reflexive Forms of Theory Creation
(e.g. reflective, grounded theory, RDA)
Involves purposeful (low-intuitive) theory creationProcess is made transparent for othersMay suggest “mechanical” processMay suggest higher level of competence (on the part of the field, overall)
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Suggested TopologyMORE
Social Cons-truction
LESS
More Transparent More Opaque
REFLEXIVE
(e.g. GT, RDA)
TACIT
(e.g. Nonaka’s cycle)
INTUITIVE / PRIORI
EMPRICAL / POSTERIORI
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Some Points to Ponder
What form of theory-creation might be preferred in a given situation?
What form(s) is the theorist capable of?
How might the form of theory-creation affect the final structure (and, possibly, the applicability) of the theory?
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Validation of Theory
Intuitively
Intrinsically
Extrinsically
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Intuitive Validation
Does it seem to make sense?
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Extrinsic ValidationDoes the theory “work” in practice?
For WHOM does the theory work?
HOW well does the theory work?(compared with other theories)
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Forms of Intrinsic Validation
Aristotelian “Logos” (internal consistency & logic)
Wilson’s “consilience” (integrated)
Wallis’ “robust” (co-causal)
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… OR…
Is the Intrinsic-Extrinsic split just another False
Dichotomy?
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The Scholar-Practitioner
in ACTION!
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Knowledge Flow model
Theory Informs Practice
Linear relationship – suggests dichotomy of theory and practice
(the “theory-practice gap”)
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Nonaka’s Social Construction
Individual has phenomenological perceptions (tacit)
Group rationally combines, systemizes & integrates knowledge (becomes explicit)
Tacit perceptions are shared with group (knowledge becomes explicit)
Pragmatic individual internalizes group knowledge (becomes tacit)
(changes perceptions)
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Or… In Another Form
THEORY PRACTICE
Thus:Placing the Scholar-Practitioner at the
“Nexus”
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Some Scholar-Practitioner Possibilities…
How might scholars and practitioners seek each other for more collaborative work?
Might we facilitate organizations to surface their own theory (similar to surfacing and defining shared values).
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Solutions to Failure of Theory
1. Confront “real world” issues2. With a diverse learning community3. Using multiple models (and
explore the opportunity to reframe the question)
4. Contribute the results to academic journals
Van de Ven, in AOM Review, October 2006
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Creation-Validation as Theory-Evolution
Accidental evolution (look back at sweep of history)
Hybridization (purposeful cross-disciplinary work with accidental cross-fertilization)
Purposeful “splicing” of propositions
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“Splicing” Concepts Between Multiple Theories
Data
Causal Links
Known & Unknown
Theory A
Theory C
Data
Causal Links Known &
Unknown
Data
Causal Links Known &
Unknown
Theory B
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Open Conversation
Speak your mindSpeak your heartAsk questionsBe brief and meaningful
Presenter will participate and facilitate
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Some QuestionsQuestions & Comments about presentationWhat insights are “flashing” for you?What are the implications for application?What are implications for scholarly work?What is the “state of theory?”What is your favorite theory?What ideas might be removed/added to improve this conversation?Is “theory of theory” a “theory?”
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Thank You
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Call for Action!
Explore links for scholars & practitioners