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Strategy and the research process: A comment
Author(s) -
Seth Anju,
Zinkhan George
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
strategic management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 11.035
H-Index - 286
eISSN - 1097-0266
pISSN - 0143-2095
DOI - 10.1002/smj.4250120107
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , process (computing) , process theory , management science , philosophy of science , state (computer science) , development theory , epistemology , computer science , sociology , economics , business , work in process , marketing , artificial intelligence , market economy , philosophy , algorithm , operating system
The purpose of this paper is to expand the discussion of the ‘state‐of‐the‐science’ in strategy research. We critically examine the role that theory plays in strategic research, and describe the principles underlying good theory. From a philosophy of science perspective, we argue that: (1) both inductive and deductive methods are valid ways of generating theory; (2) the falsificationist perspective provides an inadequate model for describing the process of theory testing; and (3) managers, researchers, public policy‐makers, the popular press, and the public at large all have important roles to play in the knowledge development process.