On the use and usefulness of theories and perspectives: A reply to Brunsson |
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Institution: | 1. Gothenburg University, Department of Business Administration, Gothenburg Research Institute, GRI, Sweden;2. Örebro University, School of Business, Centre for Empirical Research on Organiztional Control (CEROC), Sweden;3. Uppsala University, Department of Business Studies, Sweden |
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Abstract: | The present paper is a reply to Brunsson (2021b), who wrote a commentary on the edited volume Theories and Perspectives in Business Administration (Eriksson-Zetterquist, Hansson & Nilsson, 2020). Although we agree with Brunsson on several points, we nevertheless argue that students need to learn about different theories and perspectives. First, the use of theories and perspectives as analytical tools will help students to describe and analyze a certain phenomenon. Second, to be able to theorize students need to acquire fundamental knowledge of the background and the specificities of the theory or perspective in use. Third, an awareness of the diversity of theories and perspectives that exists within the business administration discipline is a prerequisite to being able to contribute to the creation of new knowledge. Finally, we do not agree with Brunsson that the multitude of theories and perspectives in the business administration discipline is a sign of “an inferiority complex”. It is the outcome of the vitality and viability of the discipline. |
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Keywords: | Bachelor’s thesis Business administration Master’s thesis Perspective Theorizing Theory |
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