Certum Quod Factum: How Formal Models Contribute to the Theoretical and Empirical Robustness of Organization Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1289-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe A. Csaszar
Keyword(s):  
Closed Form ◽  
Organization Theory ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Theory Testing ◽  
Formal Modeling ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Improve Theory

The aim of this commentary is to show how the use of formal models—both closed form and computational—can improve theory development and theory testing in organization theory. I also provide practical suggestions (aimed at PhD students and researchers considering developing a formal model) for dealing with challenges in developing and writing a formal modeling paper. By uncovering how formal models contribute to organization theory and presenting the constraints that formal modeling papers are subject to, this commentary can also help consumers of modeling papers to extract more value from this research method.

Organizational Theory Development: Displacement of Ends?

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
William McKinley
Keyword(s):  
Organization Theory ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Theory Testing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual Activity ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Organization Science ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S

In this essay I argue that organization theory has witnessed a significant displacement of ends over the last 30 years. Whereas in the 1960s and 1970s the dominant goal of the discipline was achieving consensus on the validity status of theories, today the overriding goal appears to be development of new theory. Formerly new theory development was considered a means to the end of attaining consensus on theory validity, but was not the only activity deemed necessary to accomplish that goal. In addition, instrumental standardization and replication were viewed as important. The contemporary displacement of ends toward new theory development creates the paradox that organization theory today is both epistemologically simpler (in terms of the intellectual activity deemed desirable) and more complex theoretically than it was 30 years ago. I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the displacement of ends toward new theory development in organization theory, and offer some possible remedies that are designed to reallocate priorities and resources toward the instrumentation, theory testing, and replication components of the research process. I also propose an agenda of future research in the history and sociology of organization science that would study the displacement of ends hypothesized here, with a view to improving our understanding of how organization theory has evolved and how its knowledge could be made more useful to managers.

Case Study as a Research Method in Hospitality and Tourism Research: A Systematic Literature Review (1974–2020)

2020 ◽  
pp. 193896552097128
Author(s):  
Kadir Çakar ◽  
Şehmus Aykol
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Tourism Research ◽  
Computer Aided Analysis ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism

This systematic literature review aimed to investigate the use of case study method in hospitality and tourism research to increase the awareness about the use of case study as a research method. Data were collected ( n = 871) from 10 leading hospitality and tourism journals published between 1974 and 2020. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted using Leximancer as a computer-aided analysis software. The study findings reveal an overall mislabel and misuse of the case study method. Suggestions are provided to improve case study method applications and increase case study research for more theory development in hospitality and tourism research.

Towards a theory of sensory robotics

Robotica ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Pinkava
Keyword(s):  
Formal Model ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
The Other ◽  
Theoretical Ground ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Homogeneous Body ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Approach

SUMMARYA partial review of some efforts in robotics research is presented. We identify two broad categories of work: one characterised by application-driven experimental engineering, the other by a more ‘scientific’ approach based on testing theoretical models through implementation. We argue that although the former represents some of the best practical results obtained to-date, this experiment-first-theory-later approach does not contribute to a homogeneous body of knowledge. If robotics is to make measured progress, sound theoretical ground is needed. We argue for a task-specific paradigm for future theoretical work founded on formal models. To this end, we present a general analysis of a sensory robotic system, and identify key elements that must be defined in any formal model before we can decide what sensory information is useful for a given task.

In Defense of Comparative Statics: Specifying Empirical Tests of Models of Strategic Interaction

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford J. Carrubba ◽  
Amy Yuen ◽  
Christopher Zorn
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Strategic Behavior ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Comparative Statics ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Likelihood Estimator ◽  
Alternative Methodology ◽  
Empirical Tests ◽  
Parametric Relationships ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Beginning in 1999, Curtis Signorino challenged the use of traditional logits and probits analysis for testing discrete-choice, strategic models. Signorino argues that the complex parametric relationships generated by even the simplest strategic models can lead to wildly inaccurate inferences if one applies these traditional approaches. In their stead, Signorino proposes generating stochastic formal models, from which one can directly derive a maximum likelihood estimator. We propose a simpler, alternative methodology for theoretically and empirically accounting for strategic behavior. In particular, we propose carefully and correctly deriving one's comparative statics from one's formal model, whether it is stochastic or deterministic does not particularly matter, and using standard logit or probit estimation techniques to test the predictions. We demonstrate that this approach performs almost identically to Signorino's more complex suggestion.

Whatever Happened to Theory Testing In Sport Psychology?

1983 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Landers
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Null Hypothesis ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Theory Testing ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Null Hypothesis Testing ◽  
Strong Inference ◽  
Meta Analyses

It is maintained that a balance among theory testing, applied research, and dissemination, though an ideal goal for sport psychology, is not being achieved because theory testing has not kept pace. To explain the rise and decline of theory testing in sport psychology a historical perspective was used. Whereas sport psychology from 1950-1965 was characterized by empiricism, from 1966-1976 it was characterized by a social analysis approach used to test single theories with novel tasks in a laboratory setting. In contrast to the earlier approaches, it is recommended that contemporary sport psychologists (a) use more meta-analyses to recheck the conclusions of past reviews, (b) become less reliant on a single research method or setting, (c) avoid premature commitments to a theory, and (d) become less enamored with statistically based null hypothesis testing. A number of suggestions are offered and examples provided to encourage, where appropriate, the use of “strong inference,” a more eclectic employment of research methods and settings as well as statistical techniques to determine the strength of observed relationships.

ON THE NECESSITY OF FORMAL MODELS FOR REAL-TIME PARALLEL COMPUTATIONS

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (02n03) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEFAN D. BRUDA ◽  
SELIM G. AKL
Keyword(s):  
Positive Integer ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Turing Machine ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Parallel Computations ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Turing Machines ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Language L

We assume the multitape real-time Turing machine as a formal model for parallel real-time computation. Then, we show that, for any positive integer k, there is at least one language Lk which is accepted by a k-tape real-Turing machine, but cannot be accepted by a (k - 1)-tape real-time Turing machine. It follows therefore that the languages accepted by real-time Turing machines form an infinite hierarchy with respect to the number of tapes used. Although this result was previously obtained elsewhere, our proof is considerably shorter, and explicitly builds the languages Lk. The ability of the real-time Turing machine to model practical real-time and/or parallel computations is open to debate. Nevertheless, our result shows how a complexity theory based on a formal model can draw interesting results that are of more general nature than those derived from examples. Thus, we hope to offer a motivation for looking into realistic parallel real-time models of computation.

scholarly journals How to Translate a Verbal Theory Into a Formal Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul E. Smaldino
Keyword(s):  
Formal Model ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Verbal Theory ◽  
Mature Science

Abstract. Turning verbal theories into formal models is an essential business of a mature science. Here I elaborate on taxonomies of models, provide ten lessons for translating a verbal theory into a formal model, and discuss the specific challenges involved in collaborations between modelers and non-modelers. It’s a start.

scholarly journals How to translate a verbal theory into a formal model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Smaldino
Keyword(s):  
Formal Model ◽  
Formal Models ◽  
Verbal Theory ◽  
Mature Science

Turning verbal theories into formal models is an essential business of a mature science. Here I elaborate on taxonomies of models, provide ten lessons for translating a verbal theory into a formal model, and discuss the specific challenges involved in collaborations between modelers and non-modelers. It's a start.

scholarly journals Why People Perceive Messages Differently: The Theory of Cognitive Mapping

10.28945/4629 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 089-106
Author(s):  
Eli Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Theory Testing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Message Processing ◽  
New Concepts

Aim/Purpose: The paper introduces new concepts including cognitive mapping, cognitive message processing, and message resonance. Background: This paper draws upon philosophy, psychology, physiology, communications, and introspection to develop the theory of cognitive mapping. Methodology: Theory development Contribution: The theory offers new ways to conceptualize the informing process. Findings: Cognitive mapping has a far-reaching explanatory power on message resonance. Recommendation for Researchers: The theory of cognitive mapping offers a new conceptualization for those exploring the informing process that is ripe for exploration and theory testing. Future Research: This paper forms a building block toward the development of a fuller model of the informing process.

Understanding Technology-Structure Relationships: Theory Development and Meta-Analytic Theory Testing

1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-399
Author(s):  
C. Chet Miller ◽  
William H. Glick ◽  
Yau-de Wang ◽  
George P. Huber
Keyword(s):  
Theory Development ◽  
Analytic Theory ◽  
Theory Testing ◽  
Technology Structure
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