21890 Chap.5 Theory and Theoretical Frameworks
Theory and Theoretical Frameworks
Why theory matters
The Week 4 lecture argues that every management decision rests on some theory, and describes theory as organised, evidence-based knowledge that explains or predicts. Deductive studies test theory against data; inductive studies build theory from observations.
Building a framework
Five steps lead from your aim and key concepts to candidate theories, evaluation and a justified choice.
A framework needs concepts, stated relationships, a logical explanation and a context.
Choosing and applying
Pick a theory that fits your needs, usually a mid-level management theory, and weave it through your analysis with concrete examples and clear linking sentences.
What this chapter covers
- 01
What theory is
- 02
Deductive and inductive approaches
- 03
Five steps to a theoretical framework
- 04
Concepts, constructs and variables
- 05
What is not a theory
- 06
Linking theory to practice
Worked example · free
Complete the framework for the weekend community sport example
- 1Concepts: age, income and satisfaction with past sport experiences, plus the outcome, participation in weekend community sport.
- 1Relationships, proposed for testing: satisfaction raises participation, while age and income each shape it, for example through time, cost and fitness.
- 1Explanation, the theoretical glue: a chosen theory must say why each link holds, for instance social exchange, where people take part when the benefits outweigh the costs.
- 1Context: community sport clubs in one region, where published participation surveys report age, income and satisfaction.
Key terms
- Construct
- An abstract concept, such as satisfaction or culture, that cannot be observed directly.
- Hypothesis
- A proposition about how something should work, which data can support or contradict.
- Social Exchange Theory
- A theory that treats relationships as a cost and benefit analysis of what each side invests.
Theory and Theoretical Frameworks FAQ
Does my project need a theoretical framework?
The Week 4 page says applied and academic research both need to consider theory, and the lecture closes by asking whether your project will use a framework as a lens or not. Most strong projects name a theory and show which relationships it explains in their case.
What is the difference between a deductive and an inductive approach?
A deductive study starts with theory from the literature and tests it against data in the situation studied. An inductive study begins with observations of a phenomenon and builds a theory from the patterns found. Secondary-data projects often find the deductive route more manageable.
Why is listing theories in my introduction not enough?
The lecture says listing references to theories does not make a theory. You need to identify the relationships between variables that a theory proposes and test whether they hold in your case, then return to the theory when you interpret your findings.
What are the four parts of a theoretical framework?
Drawing on Whetten via Rose et al., the lecture lists the concepts, a statement of how they are related, a logical explanation of those relationships that acts as the theoretical glue, and the contexts in which the theory applies.
What is the difference between a construct and a variable?
The Week 4 tutorial, citing Bacharach, explains that constructs such as satisfaction or culture cannot be observed directly, whereas variables are measured. A theory links constructs through propositions and variables through hypotheses.
Why does business research use middle-range theory?
Grand theories, such as relativity or natural selection, explain how the universe or living world works. Management questions concern organisations and people in particular settings, which mid-level theories address, and the Week 4 reading asks you to consider why business research usually relies on them.
Which theories might suit a management research project?
The lecture lists theories met across the Masters, including social capital, social identity, the resource based view, systems, transaction cost, agency, social exchange, stakeholder and strategic contingency theories. Choose the one whose relationships match the concepts in your question.
Assessment move
Run the five framework steps on your own topic and draw the result as boxes and arrows. Test two candidate theories against the same diagram and keep the one that explains more arrows. Practise saying, in two sentences, why you chose it; the viva will ask. Look back at subjects from your Masters where your topic came up and list the theories they used; the Week 5 tutorial suggests exactly this.
When you write, introduce the theory early, return to it in every analysis theme, and use linking sentences so the reader never has to guess how the theory explains your evidence.
Working through Theory and Theoretical Frameworks in 21890? Sia is AskSia’s AI Management tutor — ask any 21890 Theory and Theoretical Frameworks question and get a clear, step-by-step explanation grounded in how 21890 is taught and assessed. Read this chapter free, then take your hardest questions to Sia.