Some Thoughts About Theory

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Some Thoughts About Theory. Roland T. Rust University of Maryland. Where Should It Come From?. Core disciplines (economics, psychology, sociology, etc.) – about fundamental constructs Organic theory – about higher-order marketing constructs. What Does It Look Like?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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© 2008 Robert H. Smith School of BusinessUniversity of Maryland

Some Thoughts About Theory

Roland T. RustUniversity of Maryland

© 2008 Robert H. Smith School of BusinessUniversity of Maryland

Where Should It Come From?

• Core disciplines (economics, psychology, sociology, etc.) – about fundamental constructs

• Organic theory – about higher-order marketing constructs

© 2008 Robert H. Smith School of BusinessUniversity of Maryland

What Does It Look Like?

• Boxes and arrows – what drives what?• Equations – most rigorous• Even boxes and arrows sorts of

theories are best expressed mathematically

© 2008 Robert H. Smith School of BusinessUniversity of Maryland

What Is It Good For?

• NOT for providing “legitimacy” to an empirical study

• Primary purpose – generalizability to multiple contexts and applications

© 2008 Robert H. Smith School of BusinessUniversity of Maryland

How Can We Tell Good Theory?

• It is rigorous and precise• It explains as well as describes• It provides new insight• It makes simple what was previously

unexpressed or ambiguous