Thesis ID: CBB001567291

Tracking the Evolution of Theoretical Constructs in Organizational Scholarship: Examining Cooperation and Purpose (2011)

unapi

Singleton, Laura G. (Author)


Boston College
Glynn, Mary Ann
Pratt, Michael G.
Pratt, Michael G.
Khurana, Rakesh
Khurana, Rakesh


Publication Date: 2011
Edition Details: Advisor: Glynn, Mary Ann; Committee Members: Pratt, Michael G., Khurana, Rakesh.
Physical Details: 318 pp.
Language: English

I examine the process of evolution for theoretical constructs in the field of organizational scholarship, leveraging the sociology of knowledge literature and empirical studies of construct development to focus my research. Prior studies suggest several key factors operating in the process--actor-oriented components, including the characteristics and strategies of scholarly actors, and situationally-oriented components of historical context and word meanings. No study, however, has assessed these factors in interaction over time. I address this gap through a historical study based primarily on archival data regarding construct usage in journal articles and scholarly books. Specifically, I explore the evolution of "cooperation" and "purpose" in organizational scholarship from 1938 through 2005. My findings contribute to elaboration of the theory of construct evolution proposed by Hirsch & Levin (1999), as I observe that a construct developing largely within a single disciplinary paradigm is marked by narrowing rather than expansion of meaning in the course of increased operationalization. Further, I find that an interdisciplinary context of evolution multiplies not just meanings but also the language used for a construct. I also document how antecedent conditions of meaning for the words "cooperation" and "purpose," as well as elements of historical context, affect the evolution process. In addition, my study extends the observations of Barley & Kunda (1992) regarding a cyclical dichotomy between rational and normative paradigms in managerial discourse, as I observe this pattern contributing to the fragmentation of language and meanings in the constructs studied.

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Description Cited in Dissertation Abstracts International-A 73/07(E), Jan 2013. Proquest Document ID: 936122573. On “the evolution of “cooperation” and “purpose” in organizational scholarship from 1938 through 2005.”


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001567291/

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Authors & Contributors
Jones, Geoffrey
Scott Johnston
Helen Varney
Joyce E. Thompson
Colpan, Asli M.
Mainz, Vera V.
Concepts
Scientific communities; interprofessional relations
Management; administration
Business history
Science and politics
Paradigms
Business enterprises
Time Periods
21st century
20th century
19th century
20th century, early
17th century
18th century
Places
United States
Germany
São Tomé and Príncipe
Kilimanjaro, Mount
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Tanzania (Tanganyika, Zanzibar)
Institutions
International Archaeological Congresses (1866-2006)
International Congress of Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology
Australian National University
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Instituten
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften
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