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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, Ph.D.Steve@EasyGenius.Net

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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!

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