Management research places a great premium on theory development. Despite this emphasis, concerns have been expressed regarding the extent to which management theories are tested in empirical research. This article reviews evidence concerning the connections between theoretical and empirical management research and reports an investigation that examines the correspondence between the propositions presented in 20 highly cited theoretical articles and the hypotheses stated in 361 empirical articles that cite the theories. Results indicate that the vast majority of propositions in the cited theoretical articles are not translated into hypotheses in the citing empirical articles. This disconnect manifests a great divide between theoretical and empirical management research. Implications of these results are discussed, and potential solutions are offered.
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