Theory building in management is recognized as one of the primary tools for understanding and predicting managerial phenomena. This article, by examining the importance of theories and the challenges associated with theory building, provides a framework for theoretical contributions in the field of management. In this article, five levels of theoretical contribution, including reporters, testers, moderators, builders, and expanders, are examined. Additionally, eight levers of theory building, including research question, theory-building method, level of analysis, phenomenon under study, causal mechanisms, constructs and variables, boundary conditions, and outputs, are introduced. This article demonstrates how changes in each of these levers can contribute to the creation of new theoretical contributions. Finally, this article recommends that students and management researchers, instead of focusing solely on existing theories, seek to discover new phenomena and provide innovative explanations.
Hajipour, B. (2025). Theorizing in Management: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Business Management Perspective, 23(59), 1-19. doi: 10.48308/jbmp.2025.105326
MLA
Hajipour, B. . "Theorizing in Management: Challenges and Opportunities", Journal of Business Management Perspective, 23, 59, 2025, 1-19. doi: 10.48308/jbmp.2025.105326
HARVARD
Hajipour, B. (2025). 'Theorizing in Management: Challenges and Opportunities', Journal of Business Management Perspective, 23(59), pp. 1-19. doi: 10.48308/jbmp.2025.105326
CHICAGO
B. Hajipour, "Theorizing in Management: Challenges and Opportunities," Journal of Business Management Perspective, 23 59 (2025): 1-19, doi: 10.48308/jbmp.2025.105326
VANCOUVER
Hajipour, B. Theorizing in Management: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Business Management Perspective, 2025; 23(59): 1-19. doi: 10.48308/jbmp.2025.105326
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