
Theory Building in Applied Disciplines
Berrett-Koehler (Publisher)
Published on 5. August 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-60994-713-2 (ISBN)
Description
When facing important professional problems, practitioners regularly respond with the latest gimmick, or by throwing everything and anything at the problem. In contrast, scholars regularly slice problems into small segments to study and explain them, without directly addressing the practical problem itself. Both approaches miss the target of sound theory and practice.
Most theory development methodologies are incomplete, inappropriate, or totally overwhelming. This book presents a complete, five-stop methodology for developing sound theory that can be employed with any applied discipline-it is not discipline-specific. This methodology engages input from practitioners and scholars. By fusing them, a complete and accurate understanding of the phenomena being investigated results an understanding that meets the standards of both scholarship and practice.
Reviews / Votes
"Swanson and Chermack argue that applied disciplines falter when either theory or practice dominates. The method of theory building in applied disciplines presented and detailed in this book is simple yet powerful." --Wayne F. Cascio, Robert H. Reynolds Chair in Global Leadership and Professor of Management, Business School, University of Colorado Denver "Theory Building in Applied Disciplines is a long-overdue book. Swanson and Chermack have made a truly significant contribution to the development of practice-based theories that will enrich applied disciplines." --Marshall Scott Poole, Professor of Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "This book practices what it preaches by meshing theory and practice in an accessible and rigorous way. Scholars and graduate students will benefit from the advice and examples provided." --Kevin Dooley, Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management, Arizona State University "This is a welcome addition to the growing conversation on the role of theory and theory development in applied disciplines." --David Whetten, Jack Wheatley Professor of Organizational Studies, Brigham Young University "Swanson and Chermack's excellent presentation and expansion of the phases of theory building in applied disciplines represents a significant contribution to the scholarly literature." --Pedro Reyes, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, The University of Texas SystemMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
San Francisco
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
362 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-60994-713-2 (9781609947132)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Richard A. Swanson | Thomas J. Chermack
Theory Building in Applied Disciplines
E-Book
08/2013
1st Edition
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
€56.09
Available for download

Richard A. Swanson | Thomas J. Chermack
Theory Building in Applied Disciplines
E-Book
08/2013
1st Edition
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
€56.09
Available for download
Persons
Richard A. Swanson is Professor Emeritus of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of fourteen books.
Thomas J. Chermack is Associate Professor of Organizational Performance and Change and Director of the Scenario Planning Institute at Colorado State University. He is the author of Scenario Planning in Organizations.
Thomas J. Chermack is Associate Professor of Organizational Performance and Change and Director of the Scenario Planning Institute at Colorado State University. He is the author of Scenario Planning in Organizations.
Content
Preface
PART ONE FOUNDATIONS OF THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 1 -- To Hell with Gravity
Chapter 2 -- Foundations and Definitions of Theory Building
Chapter 3 -- The General Method of Theory Building in Applied Disciplines, Contributed by Susan A. Lynham
PART TWO PHASES OF THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 4 -- Conceptualize Phase
Chapter 5 -- Operationalize Phase
Chapter 6 -- Confirm Phase
Chapter 7 – Apply Phase
Chapter 8 -- Refine Phase
PART THREE SUCCESSFUL THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 9 – Case Example: Marsick & Watkin’s Learning Organization Theory
Chapter 10 – Case Example: Chermack’s Scenario Planning Theory
Chapter 11 – Figuring out the Present Status of a Theory
Chapter 12 – Whatcha Gonna Do?
References
Index
About the Authors
PART ONE FOUNDATIONS OF THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 1 -- To Hell with Gravity
Chapter 2 -- Foundations and Definitions of Theory Building
Chapter 3 -- The General Method of Theory Building in Applied Disciplines, Contributed by Susan A. Lynham
PART TWO PHASES OF THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 4 -- Conceptualize Phase
Chapter 5 -- Operationalize Phase
Chapter 6 -- Confirm Phase
Chapter 7 – Apply Phase
Chapter 8 -- Refine Phase
PART THREE SUCCESSFUL THEORY BUILDING
Chapter 9 – Case Example: Marsick & Watkin’s Learning Organization Theory
Chapter 10 – Case Example: Chermack’s Scenario Planning Theory
Chapter 11 – Figuring out the Present Status of a Theory
Chapter 12 – Whatcha Gonna Do?
References
Index
About the Authors