Research Movements and Theorizing Dynamics in Management and Organization Studies

Clegg, Stewart; Cunha, Miguel Piña e; Berti, Marco

doi:10.5465/amr.2018.0466

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 155 publications

(139 reference statements)

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“…“[P]aradox scholars ‘agree to disagree,’” fostering “conflicting yet interdependent views on key concepts that co-exist and energize community debates” (Schad et al, 2019, p. 110). The paradox scholarship research program’s use of language, research craft, thinking style, and use of material tools underpinning theorizing (Clegg, Cunha, & Berti, 2022) displays a vitality that invites further inquiry. To ensure that the vitality of divergent efforts counterbalances too much convergence (Cunha & Putnam, 2019), both centripetal and centrifugal efforts are essential to “surface and open the remaining ‘black boxes’ of paradox theory” (Schad et al, 2019, p. 108).…”

Section: Paradox Theory: Rich In Reflexivity Yet Blind To the Use Of ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Figure is Worth a Thousand Words: The role of visualization in paradox theorizing

Pradies

Berti

Cunha

et al. 2023

Organization Studies

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Visualization (i.e., the use of figures and images to represent findings and conceptual models) is central to theorizing. Yet, by focusing solely on the textual content of papers, analysis has inadvertently marginalized the graphic representations of key ideas. We review the paradox literature not just in terms of what authors have written but also how they have visualized models concisely. An analysis of figures in paradox articles captures the essential role that visuals play in our understanding of competing tensions, leveraging the power of imagery. We explore paradox visually, searching for the figurative materialization of paradox; more particularly, we seek visual signs that render abstract ideas more saliently and concretely. We contribute to paradox theory in three ways. First, we show how visuals constitute the lynchpin between convergent and divergent forces, allowing scholars to simultaneously reinforce and challenge current understanding. Second, we offer a tool for scholars to theorize competing demands based on three key antinomies, or dualities, that define the terrain of research in our field. Third, we reveal the performative effect of figures by identifying the ongoing dominance of certain classes of paradox visuals, which allows us to point to uncharted territories for paradox research.

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Section: Paradox Theory: Rich In Reflexivity Yet Blind To the Use Of ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Figure is Worth a Thousand Words: The role of visualization in paradox theorizing

Pradies

Berti

Cunha

et al. 2023

Organization Studies

Self Cite

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“…In an ideal world, crafting theory would always be about making valuable knowledge contributions. However, knowledge production fundamentally depends on social structures, conventions, and processes (Clegg et al, 2020), so that theory may undermine progress instead of contributing to it. Management scholarship often rewards narrow conceptions (Alvesson and Sandberg, 2011) or undue emphasis on novelty with publication success (Cronin et al, 2021).…”

Section: Explaining the Purpose Of My Framework In Simple Termsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calibrating for Progress: What are the Instrumental Functions of Theory in Management Research?

Krlev¹

2023

J Management Studies

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While economics has largely moved ‘beyond theory’, in management research the ‘theory always’ imperative is still held high. This imperative has come under attack lately with scholars saying we have too much theory that explains too little, or that insisting on theoretical contributions in every article hampers our ability to address timely issues. I argue that there is unease with the practice of theorizing in management and organization because we fail to demonstrate what theory does (or cannot do) for advancing knowledge, and under what conditions. In this article, I therefore seek to show when and how management theory is more useful and when less useful for moving research fields forward. Drawing on a position about progress that is rooted in a combination of Popper's critical rationalism and social criticism, I unearth four instrumental functions of theory and three areas of limitation. I suggest that scholars should be clearer about which of these functions their theorizing serves, or use the framework to justify why, instead of crafting theory, they focus on applying theory, on empirical analysis, or on method. The article provides guidance to authors, reviewers, and editors. It also offers suggestions for the strategic positioning and publishing policies of journals.

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“…There are several obstacles. Theories tend to be protective of their core (Clegg et al, 2022) and paradox, with its emphasis on contradiction, is not necessarily a common angle for organizational theories more attuned to structural equilibrium than processual contradiction.…”

Section: Meta-theorizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organizational Paradox

Gaim

Clegg

Cunha

et al. 2022

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Paradoxes, contrary propositions that are not contestable separately but that are inconsistent when conjoined, constitute a pervasive feature of contemporary organizational life. When contradictory elements are constituted as equally important in day-to-day work, organizational actors frequently experience acute tensions in engaging with these contradictions. This Element discusses the presence of paradoxes in the life of organizations, introduces the reader to the notion of paradox in theory and practice, and distinguishes paradox and adjacent conceptualizations such as trade-off, dilemma, dialectics, ambiguity, etc. This Element also covers what triggers paradoxes and how they come into being whereby the Element distinguishes latent and salient paradoxes and how salient paradoxes are managed. This Element discusses key methodological challenges and possibilities of studying, teaching, and applying paradoxes and concludes by considering some future research questions left unexplored in the field.

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Research Movements and Theorizing Dynamics in Management and Organization Studies

Cited by 18 publications

References 155 publications

A Figure is Worth a Thousand Words: The role of visualization in paradox theorizing

A Figure is Worth a Thousand Words: The role of visualization in paradox theorizing

Calibrating for Progress: What are the Instrumental Functions of Theory in Management Research?

Organizational Paradox

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