Evaluating a management theory

Proposed Guidelines for Developing Evaluation Criteria:

1. Find the theory and its context: What is the theory and where does it fit in the context of existing research?

2. Analyze the Method: How did the author or researcher develop the theory? For example:

• Does the theory build on existing theoretical frameworks?
• Was the theory grounded in research? If so, what method was used, and does that method seem credible? [See p. 685 of the Denyer and Tranfield chapter for a list of questions on methodology.]
• What are the assumptions underpinning the theory? Is it possible to test and challenge the theory and any assumptions underpinning the theory?

3. Find Support for the Theory: Is there empirical validity to support the theory?

• Has other research supported the theory?
• Has any research attempted to falsify the theory? Was the attempt successful? If so, does this undermine the theory?

4. Examine the Credibility of the Theory: Does the theory provide a relatively understandable explanation?

• Does believability require a "leap of faith" on the part of the reader? How so?
• Does the theory add new insight to our current understanding of behavior? Or is the theory largely a reiteration of previous work?
• Conversely: Does it build on previous theory? If so, how does this affect the credibility (/ believability) of the theory?

5. Examine the Researcher: What are the credentials of the author or researcher who developed the theory?

• In what context did the researcher function? For example, when did he or she develop the theory? What was the researcher/author's professional background? And is this relevant to the theory that was developed? How so?
• What was going on in the environment in which the author functioned at the time (or closely preceding) the theory development?
• Did the researcher/author bring a particular perspective to the theory? In what way?
• How has the researcher been viewed by his or her peers?