2. What is theory?
• Theory is a statement predicting what actions will lead to
what results and why.
• Theory is an abstract conceptual framework which allows
us to explain why specific observed regularities happen.
3. Use of theory
• A theory might explain why a particular leadership style is
more effective than other leadership styles in particular
situations.
• How customers choose between different products while
shopping online.
4. Elements of theory (Whetten)
• 1. Concepts that make up the theory
• 2. Statement of how concepts are related for
example in terms of one causing another
• 3. Logical explanation for relation between concepts; this
provides the glue that holds the theory together
• 4. Identification of contexts , such as the organizational
situation , in which the theory applies.
5. Concept
• Concept forms the building blocks of theory
• Mental category that groups observations or ideas
together on the basis of shared attributes.
• Age
• Income
• Satisfaction
• Leadership style
6. 3 types of theories
• Grand (more abstract)
• Middle range (less abstract, narrower in scope)
• Substantive
7. Grand Theory
• A Grand theory refers to any theory that attempts to offer
an overall explanation of history, social life and the human
experience.
8. Middle-range theory
• Developed by Robert K. Merton, is an approach to
sociological theorizing aimed at integrating theory and
empirical research.
9. Substantive theory
• may be constructed within the process of identifying
differences and similarities of contextualized instances,
and patterns
• case studies focused on a similar theme.
• The content of substantive theory is mainly descriptive
10. Conclusion
• Theory should provide an explanation of a phenomenon
in terms of relevant concepts, how they are related, why
they are related, in what contexts the theory would apply.
• Theories depicted as conceptual model that shows the
concepts and the relationships between them.