Theory as method: introduction to supertheoretical options for organization and management research

Abstract

PurposeThis article is devoted to conditions and examples of how theories may be applied as methods in the fields of management research and organization studies.Design/methodology/approachAn introduction to minimum requirements for a successful refunctionalization of theory as method as well as to nine contributions to a special issue of the Journal of Organizational Change Management on “Theory as method” is provided.FindingsThe review of these nine cases suggests that the use of theories as methods is not necessarily harmful for the former, and particularly not for the more robust among them.Originality/valueThis article sheds new light on the value of theoretical monism or loyalty and calls for a reassessment of the relative value of expertise in a specific research field, method and or theory.

Within a mesh of expectations: Dealing with dilemmas in business families using systemic tools from family coaching

“…To facilitate a requisite shift from problems to solutions in situations of paradox and tension, and thus to manage the above complexity, this article outlines a systems‐theoretical method (Roth, Mills, et al, 2021; Von Bertalanffy, 1972) to guide family members through complex situations (Ackoff et al, 1978; De Shazer & Dolan, 2007; Sparrer, 2007). To untangle diverse and divergent role expectations and system logics in family, business, and ownership, we present a solution‐focused approach to prominent business family issues identified in family business research (Kleve, Roth, et al, 2020).…”

Truth Tables, True Distinctions. Paradoxes of the Source Code of Science

“…From a practical perspective, it follows that if we take distinctions for true ones, then we can combine or self-apply them without any difficulty; and if we identify distinctions as false, then we need to translate them into two true distinctions. The latter procedure corresponds to the translation of dilemmas into tetralemmas, a technique already well-established in ancient Indian logic (Roth et al 2021a, b).…”

“…Theories then appear as programmes that guide the transition from one paradox to another. Against this backdrop, the present work on the "source code" of science allows for a metatheoretical perspective on "the strategic operation of paradoxes, in the sense of their transformation and combination" (Roth et al 2021a, b). This strategic operation might well resemble the cascading of logic gates or of their substitution by one another, respectively, and thus a form of intellectual circuit design that facilitates not only a digital transformation of theories of management, organisation, and society (Roth 2019(Roth , 2022, but also the detection of intellectual short circuits within the so recoded bodies of theory.…”

Fit for functional differentiation: new directions for personnel management and organizational change bridging the fit theory and social systems theory

“…In a functional differentiated society, organizations may, therefore, said to be multifunctional (Roth et al, 2017(Roth et al, , 2018Will et al, 2018) as they are obviously able to relate to a variety of function systems simultaneously and at different levels of intensity overtime. Thus, organizations may mirror or strategically challenge broader social macro trends in functional differentiation (Roth et al, 2021).…”