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I.F.AI.F.A
What is a Theory?What is a Theory?
What is a Theory?
• “An organized set of concepts , explanations, and principles of some aspect of human experience” (Littlejohn & Foss, 2005, p. 17).
• A plausible explanation for a phenomena
• A set of principles for examining something
What is a Theory?
• “A theory is a way of seeing and thinking about the world” (Deetz, 1992).
• A theory is a lens
What is a Theory?
• Theories are constructed by people
• Theories emerge out of the research and the deep thinking of people, often scholars
• Generally, theories are built upon (or are the reactions to) the earlier theories of others
What is a Theory?
• Different theories involve different aspects of an object or a phenomena. For example:
• Broad view• View of one detail• Historical view• Process view
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
What is a Theory?
• No single theory covers everything
• To view one aspect of something means that you will not cover other aspects
Theories of Organizations
• Different viewpoints produce different theories
• No “correct” view is possible• It’s all a conversation!