The subject is management and organizations. Theory use and empirical exploration. Take any substantive theory that is of interest to you, and that has relevance for understanding organisationsor the wider social world. Write an essay about this theory that explores the following: A. What does the theory try to explain? Describe the nature of the phenomena that the theory addresses, and then unpack the characteristics of the theory. For example, what ontological stance does the theory take? What epistemological stance is implied? What concepts are used? What is the logic or inferential structure of the theory? What assumptions are made in support of it? Does the theory have any political connotations? B. How could you set about researching the theory? That is, what research questions might emerge, and what sorts of data gathering (methodological approaches) might help shed light on your theory? Who would such research be aimed at? For example, could you assess the validity of some of the theoretical assumptions. Does the theory make predictions that could be tested empirically? How might the basic concepts be defined, assessed or measured? Perhaps some exploratory work could be used to provide deeper insights on dynamic processes, or various situated viewpoints? Could further empirical work problematise the original theoretical assumptions, goals or imagined audiences for the theory? Some guidance: Your essay should be around 2000 words (and an absolute maximum of 2200 words). Parts A and B of your essay should be of roughly similar lengths. Part B should contain concise and precise descriptions of several research questions, and brief outlines of the appropriate research methods that could be used to support these questions. In Part B, please include at least one example of some qualitative investigation and one example of some quantitative investigation. When indicating a research method that might be applied, try to explain why such an approach might be appropriate. Your essay should demonstrate the following: Understanding about the nature of theories, their constituent parts, the hidden assumptions that they may carry, and understanding of how theories are constructed. Awareness of the need for coherence between your ontological/epistemological view, selection and use of theory, and the means of data gathering/analysis. Insight into some of the difficulties of operationalising some of the concepts used in theories. Knowledge and understanding about the different data gathering strategies (i.e. research methods) that are used to connect between the empirical and the conceptual worlds. References to relevant literature (about your theory, and about research methods). NB: please append to your essay a printed copy of one key academic source that describes or uses your central theory. at least 18 references
