Webinar synopsis

Researchers often hold a romantic view of theory, which they feel should be a complete, detailed, flawless, deep, and exhaustive explanation of a phenomenon. They also often hold a romantic view of theory building, which they envision either as emerging from trancelike periods of writing or as the product of a rigorous, detailed, structured deductive process. The perspective Professor Suzanne Rivard offers here is both more realistic and pragmatic. She espouse Weick’s (1995) view that the outcomes of a researcher’s theorizing efforts are seldom full-blown theories. Often, they are “approximations” that, if given a chance, may develop into rich theories. Based on her experience as a researcher and as a senior editor of a journal department dedicated to publishing theory, Professor Rivard offers a view of theory building as a craft, which calls for exerting care and ingenuity, and requires patience and perseverance. She describes a theory building process anchored in this view, along with a few design principles that can contribute to the quality of the product of the theorizing process.  

Related article:

  • Rivard, S. 2021 “Theory Building is neither an Art nor a Science. It is a Craft,” Journal of Information Technology, (36: 3), pp. 316-328.

Reference:

  • Weick, K. E. 1995. "What Theory Is Not, Theorizing Is," Administrative Science Quarterly (40:3), pp.385-390.

This event is part of the annual BAM Academic Affairs of Conference and Capacity Building (AACCB) webinar series:

The AACCB webinars will help attendees to gain greater clarity about some contemporary issues, and how they link in with other related management research areas. Delivered by senior academics engaged in cutting edge research, the topics to be covered in the series will provide attendees with scholarly insight into what constitutes meaningful scholarship, and the making of optimal theoretical and methodological choices when crafting high impact manuscripts for publication. There will also be opportunities to discuss ways to get the best out of the publication process, crafting a careers, and networking with fellow academics, and other management researchers, all in one place.

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Provider Information

BAM Council's Sub-Committee of Academic Affairs of Conference and Capacity Building (AACCB)

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Who Should Attend?

The event speaks to Sections A1 and A2 as detailed in the BAM Framework 

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Speakers
Professor Suzanne Rivard

Professor Suzanne Rivard

Professor of Information Technology, HEC Montreal

Chaired by 
Prof David Sarpong

Prof David Sarpong

Co-Vice Chair: Academic Affairs of Conference and Capacity Building

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Benefits of attending 
  • Learn about new frontiers in management research methods
  • Gain greater clarity on your methodological choices
  • Network with other doctoral students and academics all in one place

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Contact

Please contact the BAM Office at [email protected] with any queries.  

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Event Fee 

BAM Members: Free 

BAM Student Members: Free 

Non-Members: £25

Non-Members, Students: £15

To become a member, please follow the link: BAM Membership

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Registration closes on 17th May 2022 at 16:00 UK time