Abstract
Traditional approaches to theory building are not entirely consistent with the assumptions of alternative research paradigms that are nowassuming more prominence in organizational study. We argue for a multiparadigm approach to theory building as a means of establishing correspondence between paradigms and theory-construction efforts. Because of the implications of the multiparadigm approach, we also examine ways of bridging across blurred paradigm boundaries. In addition, we explore a metaparadigm perspective that might allow disparate approaches to theory building to be considered together. Such a perspective can produce views of organizational phenomena that not only allow scholars to recognize inherent and irreconcilable theoretical differences, but also can encourage them to adopt a more comprehensive view by accounting for those differences.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 584-602 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Academy of Management Review |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1990 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Business, Management and Accounting
- Strategy and Management
- Management of Technology and Innovation