"What, Really, Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?"

Play It Again, Sam! An Analysis of Constructive Replication in the Organizational Sciences

“…We are not alone in this. Many have written about the importance of novelty to establish theoretical contribution (e.g., Davis, 1971; Locke & Golden-Biddle, 1997; Sandberg & Alvesson, 2011; Weick, 1989; Whetten, Rodgers, Green, & Coles, 2014). At the same time, many authors have bemoaned the fact that empirical contributions are being disregarded and viewed as less valuable (e.g., Chan & Arvey, 2012; Tsang & Kwan, 1999).…”

“…Constructive replication predominantly focuses on empirical contribution through improvement rather than on theoretical contribution. Given current publication practices and preferences, researchers may find it difficult to get comprehensive constructive replications through a modern review process that puts so much emphasis on theoretical novelty (Tsang & Kwan, 1999; Whetten et al, 2014), or what Antonakis (2017) might have called the comorbid diseases of theorrhea and neophilia . Even if such fears were somewhat unfounded, reduced probabilities of success coupled with the difficulty associated with execution of a comprehensive constructive study likely act as a strong deterrent.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Financial Performance of Firms in Kenya: A Stakeholder Approach

“…According to Whetten, et al (2014) a theory can be challenged on the basis of its assumptions being proved to be unrealistic. Under the stakeholder theory, stakeholders other than shareholders are assumed to have the power to affect the firm's performance.…”