I.F.AI.F.A

What is a Theory?What is a Theory?

What is a Theory?

• “An organized set of concepts , explanations, and principles of some aspect of human experience” (Littlejohn & Foss, 2005, p. 17).

• A plausible explanation for a phenomena

• A set of principles for examining something

What is a Theory?

• “A theory is a way of seeing and thinking about the world” (Deetz, 1992).

• A theory is a lens

What is a Theory?

• Theories are constructed by people

• Theories emerge out of the research and the deep thinking of people, often scholars

• Generally, theories are built upon (or are the reactions to) the earlier theories of others

What is a Theory?

• Different theories involve different aspects of an object or a phenomena. For example:

• Broad view• View of one detail• Historical view• Process view

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

What is a Theory?

• No single theory covers everything

• To view one aspect of something means that you will not cover other aspects

Theories of Organizations

• Different viewpoints produce different theories

• No “correct” view is possible• It’s all a conversation!