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In Search of Theory Development in Grounded Investigations: Doctors’ Experiences of Managing as an Example of Fitted and Prospective Theorizing

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  • Jerry Hallier
  • Tom Forbes

Abstract

This article draws on a study of doctors’ experiences of clinical managing to highlight research conventions that limit the development and use of middle range theories in grounded studies. Using sensemaking and the psychological contract as example frameworks, we illustrate how customary deductive evaluations of middle range theories turn grounded researchers away from theory building. As a correction to these conventions, we offer an inductive approach to building existing theory in grounded investigations that does not depend solely on working with frameworks under different empirical conditions. We suggest that forward theorizing is most likely to progress from a synthesis of fitted explanation and prospective thinking that presses at the limits of the data's usefulness. To illustrate this approach, trialled thinking about novel theoretical juxtapositions and alternative sources was used in conjunction with our clinical director data. The value of this approach was supported in two ways. First, a number of fitted and prospective conjectures are offered about how social identity articulates with psychological contracts and sensemaking in role change situations. Second, new light is shed on the process by which particular social conditions differentially modify employees’ social categorizations, and how these inform employee responses to the evolving experience of role change. The article concludes with some tentative proposals for promoting more discussion of theory building in grounded investigations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jerry Hallier & Tom Forbes, 2004. "In Search of Theory Development in Grounded Investigations: Doctors’ Experiences of Managing as an Example of Fitted and Prospective Theorizing," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(8), pages 1379-1410, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:41:y:2004:i:8:p:1379-1410
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00479.x
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    Cited by:

    1. S.M. Riad Shams & Rosa Lombardi, 2016. "Socio-economic value co-creation and sports tourism: evidence from Tasmania," World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 12(2/3), pages 218-238.
    2. den Nieuwenboer, N.A. & Kaptein, S.P., 2007. "Spiraling Down into Corruption: A Dynamic Analysis of the Social Identity Processes that Cause Corruption in Organizations to Grow," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2007-086-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    3. S. M. Riad Shams & Zhanna Belyaeva, 2019. "Quality Assurance Driving Factors as Antecedents of Knowledge Management: a Stakeholder-Focussed Perspective in Higher Education," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 10(2), pages 423-436, June.
    4. McCabe Thomas Joseph & Sambrook Sally Anne, 2019. "A discourse analysis of managerialism and trust amongst nursing professionals," The Irish Journal of Management, Sciendo, vol. 38(1), pages 38-53, December.
    5. Khojastehpour, Morteza & Shams, S.M. Riad, 2020. "Addressing the complexity of stakeholder management in international ecological setting: A CSR approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 302-309.

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