Jay Barney’s insights

Introduction to topic:1. Over the past few years there has been growing

interest in: (a) phenomenon or (b) theory (set the stage)

2. However (create tension) – define research gap3. The purpose of this paper is…(address gap),

summarize findings.4. Organization of the paper (All the above in 1.5 pages). Exclude literature review and theory section from he

intro.

Framing research questions

Framing research questions

• Is that interesting?– “It has long been thought that a theorist is

considered great because his theories are true, but this is false. A theorist is considered great, not because his theories are true, but because they are interesting.” • Murray Davis (1971) “That’s Interesting! Towards a

Phenomenology of Sociology and a Sociology of Phenomenology.” Phil. Soc. Sci. 1: 309-344 .

What makes research interesting?• “A new theory will be noticed

when it denies an old truth, proverb, platitude, maxim, adage, saying, commonplace, etc.”– Interesting research, then,

constitutes an attack on the taken-for-granted world of its audience

– If research does not challenge but merely confirms taken-for-granted beliefs of its audience, they will reject its value, while affirming its truth

Google Scholar: 372 citesWeb of Science: 188 cites

THE INDEX OF THE INTERESTING

“What seems to be X is in reality non-X”

A single phenomenonOrganization • A disorganized phenomenon is

organized• An organized phenomenon is

disorganizedComposition • Assorted phenomena are composed

of a single element• A single phenomenon is composed

of assorted elementsAbstraction • An individual phenomenon holistic• A holistic phenomenon is individualGeneralization • A local phenomenon is general• A general phenomenon is local

Stabilization • A stable phenomenon is unstable• An unstable phenomenon is

stableFunction • A phenomenon that functions

effectively functions ineffectively• A phenomenon that functions

ineffectively functions effectivelyEvaluation • A bad phenomenon is good• A good phenomenon is bad

Organization

• Logistic growth

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

A=1.8

A=3.2

A=3.5

t

X

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1Xt

Xt+1

Organization

• Logistic growth

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59

t

X

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1Xt

Xt+1

Xt

Xt+2

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

A=4.0

Organization

OrderlyChaoticChaotic

Relations among phenomenaCo-relation • Unrelated phenomena are

correlated• Related phenomena are

uncorrelatedCo-existence • Phenomena that can exist together

cannot exist together • Phenomena that cannot exist

together can exist together Co-variation • A positive co-variation between

phenomena is negative• A negative co-variation between

phenomena is a positive

Opposition • Similar phenomena are opposite• Opposite phenomena are similarCausation • The independent phenomenon in

a causal relation is dependent• The dependent phenomenon in a

causal relation is independent

Co-existence• How is it possible for

actor Kevin Bacon to be linked so closely to every other actor?

Co-existence

Presenting interesting ideas• Articulate the taken-for-granted assumptions of

the audience by reviewing the literature of the particular topic in question

• Advance one or more propositions denying what has been traditionally assumed

• ‘Prove’ by various means that the old routinely assumed propositions are wrong while the new ones you assert are right

• Suggest, in conclusion, practical consequences of these new propositions for the audience’s on-going research – specifically how they ought to deflect it onto new paths as a result

Mike Hitt

• Compelling theoretical contribution (emphasize in research question)

• Good papers start with good theories AND good methods.

• Methods – pay attention to construct validity and measurement

• Early focus on framing your research in a form of a paper (start with a roadmap/outline)

• Define your key constructs early to focus reviewers’ attention on your perspective

Mike Hitt (Cont.)

• Hypotheses should have strong theoretical support (steer reviewers to agreement)

• Do not take shortcuts in methodology (tempting but painful)

• Perfect the paper prior to submission. Make sure that your paper is ready. Must first go through friendly review by your colleagues.

• Interesting but also unique and valuable (others should think so too)

• Mind where you submit your work (should be peer reviewed) . Not too many options in the A-rate.