Making Great Theories

• Author: Patrick M. Wright
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12240
• Date: 01 May 2017
• Published date: 01 May 2017

Making Great Theories

Patrick M. Wright

University of South Carolina

When I was asked to develop a counterpoint to Joep Cornelissen’s commentary ‘Pre-

serving Theoretical Divergence in Management Research: Why the Explanatory Poten-

tial of Qualitative Research Should Be Harnessed Rather than Suppressed’ I thought it

might provide a great opportunity to enter into a debate. However, after reading

through the article, I found myself agreeing with much of what he had to say. Thus,

rather than debate the ‘relative’ value of qualitative versus quantitative research, my

goal is to extend this discussion into what might be a productive path forward.

Let me begin by noting that one would accurately characterize my background as

being highly quantitative both in my training and my academic publishing. Over the

past 10 years I have developed a greater appreciation for and involvement in more qual-

itative research projects, but by no means consider myself expert. With that in mind, let

me discuss Prof. Cornelissen’s article and my observations.

Prof. Cornelissen rightly observes that qualitative research seemingly faces greater

obstacles to publication in top tier journals. As editor of Journal of Management I know

that we do not have a policy against qualitative studies, but such studies rarely succeed

in the review process. He also argues that even within the qualitative domain, a trend

toward a more quantitative orientation has emerged, and rightly warns of some of the

associated dangers. As one who takes a ‘big tent’ approach to research, I believe that

Prof. Cornelissen’s observations and concerns have validity. However, I believe a bigger

issue faces our field that continues to serve as an obstacle to theoretical progress. To

address these I will first discuss theory and its importance. Second, I will propose mea-

surement as central to theoretical progress and suggest that the criteria of reliability

serves as both an obstacle to qualitative research appearing in top research journals and

the reason for qualitative researchers promoting more quantification of qualitative

research. Finally, I will point to directions that might better promote theoretical progress

in our field.

Address for reprints: Department of Management, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South

Carolina, 1014 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA (Patrick.Wright@moore.se.edu).

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C2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for the Advancement of Management Studies

Journal of Management Studies 54:3 May 2017

doi: 10.1111/joms.12240