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1 Theory
Neurath has likened science to a boat which, if we are to rebuild it, we must rebuild plank by plank while staying afloat in it. The philosopher and the scientist are in the same boat....Analyze theory-building how we will, we all must start in the middle. Our conceptual firsts are middle-sized, middle-distanced objects, and our introduction to them and to everything comes midway in the cultural evolution of the race. In assimilating this cultural fare we are little more aware of a distinction between report and invention, substance and style, cues and conceptualization, than we are of a distinction between the proteins and the carbohydrates of our material intake. Retrospectively we may distinguish the components of theory-building, as we distinguish the proteins and carbohydrates while subsisting on them. (Quine, 1960, pp. 4-6)Theories are usually introduced when previous study of a class of phenomena has revealed a system of uniformities.... Theories then seek to explain those regularities and, generally, to afford a deeper and more accurate understanding of the phenomena in question. To this end, a theory construes those phenomena as manifestations of entities and processes that lie behind or beneath them, as it were. (Hempel, 1966, p. 70)A strong approach [to construct validation] looks on construct validation as tough-minded testing of specific hypotheses:heoretical concepts are defined conceptually or implicitly by their role in a network of nomological or statistical "laws." The meaning is partially given by the theoretical network, however tentative and as yet impoverished that network may be. Crudely put, you know what you mean by an entity to the extent that statements about it in the theoretical language are linked to statements in the observational language. These statements are about where it's found, what it does, what it's made of. Only a few of those properties are directly tied to observables [p. 136]. In [an early] theory sketch, based upon some experience and data, everything said is conjectural. We have tentative notions about some indicators of the construct with unknown validities [p. 144]. [When we check up empirically on predictions from the model] we are testing the crude theory sketch, we are tightening the network psychometrically, and we are validating the indicators. All of these are done simultaneously [p. 149]. [Extracted with elisions and some paraphrase from Meehl & Golden, 1982.] (Cronbach, 1990, p. 183)Historical dictionary of quotations in cognitive science > Theory
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2 Theory Z
Gen Mgta management theory based on the assumption that greater employee involvement leads to greater productivity. Theory Z was proposed by Douglas McGregor shortly before his death in an attempt to address the criticisms of his Theory X and Theory Y. McGregor’s ideas were expanded by William Ouchi in his book Theory Z (1981), reflecting the Japanese approach to human resource management (see HRM). Theory Z advocates greater employee participation in management, greater recognition of employees’ contributions, better career prospects and security of employment, and greater mutual respect between employees and managers. -
3 Theory W
Gen Mgtan extreme extension of Douglas McGregor’s Theory X, which proposes that not only should employees be coerced into action but that force is often required. Theory W is a humorous contribution to the alphabet theories of management. Theory W stands for Theory Whiplash. -
4 Theory X
Gen Mgta management theory based on the assumption that most people are naturally reluctant to work and need discipline, direction, and close control if they are to meet work requirements. Theory X was coined by Douglas McGregor in The Human Side of Enterprise (1960), and it was considered by him to be an implicit basis for traditional hierarchical management. McGregor rejected Theory X as an appropriate management style and favored instead his proposed alternative, Theory Y. -
5 Theory Y
Gen Mgta management theory based on the assumption that employees want to work, achieve, and take responsibility for meeting their work requirements. Theory Y was coined by Douglas McGregor in The Human Side of Enterprise (1960). Although he recognized that Theory Y could not solve all human resource management problems, McGregor favored it over his Theory X, which required an autocratic management style. -
6 Theory E
Gen Mgta mechanism for bringing about change in an organization through the creation of economic value and improved profits for the shareholders. Theory E has the single goal of satisfying the financial markets with a top-down approach style of leadership from the chief executive. Theory E may be contrasted with Theory O, which involves employee empowerment and employee participation in leadership. -
7 Theory O
Gen Mgta mechanism for organizational change based on developing corporate culture and human capability through personal and organizational learning. Theory O involves fostering a culture that encourages employees to find their own solutions to problems through empowerment and participative leadership. Theory O contrasts with Theory E, which involves a top-down approach style of leadership rather than employee participation. -
8 Theory J
Gen Mgtthe Japanese form of management. Theory J is closely related to Theory Z, and was expounded by William Ouchi. -
9 theory of the horizontal fast track
Gen Mgta variation of fast track coined by Charles Handy. The theory of the horizontal fast track describes the development of talented people who are moved around from task to task to test and develop their capability in different working situations.The ultimate business dictionary > theory of the horizontal fast track
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10 theory of constraints
Finan approach to production management which aims to maximize sales revenue less material and variable overhead cost. It focuses on factors such as bottlenecks which act as constraints to this maximization.Abbr. TOC -
11 economic theory of the firm
Gen Mgtthe theory that states that the only duty that a company has to those external to it is financial. The economic theory of the firm holds that shareholders should be the prime beneficiaries of an organization’s activities. The theory is associated with top-down leadership, and cost-cutting through rationalization and downsizing. With immediate share price dominating management activities, economic theory has been criticized as being too short-term, as opposed to the longer-term thinking behind stakeholder theory.The ultimate business dictionary > economic theory of the firm
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12 stakeholder theory
Gen Mgtthe theory that an organization can enhance the interests of its shareholders without damaging the interests of its wider stakeholders. Stakeholder theory grew in response to the economic theory of the firm, and contrasts with Theory E. One of the difficulties of stakeholder theory is allocating importance to the values of different groups of stakeholders, and a solution to this is proposed by stakeholder value analysis. -
13 complexity theory
Gen Mgtthe theory that random events, if left to happen without interference, will settle into a complicated pattern rather than a simple one. Complexity theory is a development of chaos theory (see chaos). In a business context, it suggests that events within organizations and in the wider economic and social spheres cannot be predicted by simple models but will develop in a seemingly random and complex manner. -
14 decision theory
Gen Mgta body of knowledge that attempts to describe, analyze, and model the process of decision making and the factors influencing it. Decision theory encompasses both formal mathematical and statistical approaches to solving decision problems, using quantitative techniques such as probability and game theory, and more informal behavioral approaches. It is used to inform and assist decision making in organizations. -
15 flow theory
Gen Mgta theory of the way in which people become engaged with, or disengaged from, change. Flow theory suggests that people harmonize in change situations, and open, honest, trusting relationships emerge. The theory recognizes the unpredictability and rigidity of human nature when faced with change. -
16 Bayesian theory
Statsa statistical theory and method for drawing conclusions about the future occurrence of a given parameter of a statistical distribution by calculating from prior data on its frequency of occurrence. The theory is useful in the solution of theoretical and applied problems in science, industry, and government, for example, in econometrics and finance. -
17 game theory
Gen Mgta mathematical technique used in operational research to analyze and predict the outcomes of games of strategy and conflicts of interest. Game theory is used to represent conflicts and problems involved in formulating marketing and organizational strategy, with the goal of identifying and implementing optimal strategies. It involves assessing likely strategies to be adopted by players in a given situation under a particular set of rules. It was initially developed by John Von Neumann, who later developed the theory further with Oskar Morgenstern to apply it to economics. -
18 organization theory
Gen Mgtthe body of research and knowledge concerning organizations. Organization theory originally focused primarily on the organization as a unit, as opposed to organization behavior, which explored individual and group behavior within the organization. Organization behavior emerged as a separate discipline in the late 1950s and early 1960s but there remains a large amount of overlap between the two. Organization theory covers a variety of areas including organization structure and organizational psychology. -
19 queuing theory
Gen Mgttechniques developed by the study of people standing in line to determine the optimum level of service provision. In queuing theory, mathematical formulae, or simulations, are used to calculate variables such as length of time spent standing in line and average service time, which depend on the frequency and number of arrivals and the facilities available. The results enable decisions to be made on the most cost-effective level of facilities and the most efficient organization of the process. Early developments in queuing theory were applied to the provision of telephone switching equipment but the techniques are now used in a wide variety of contexts, including machine maintenance, production lines, and air transportation. -
20 trait theory
Gen Mgtthe belief that all leaders display the same key personality traits. Trait theory developed from the great man theory of leadership as researchers attempted to identify universally applicable characteristics that distinguish leaders from other people. During the 1920s and 1930s, theorists compiled lists of traits, but these were often contradictory and no single trait was consistently identified with good leadership.
См. также в других словарях:
theory — theo‧ry [ˈθɪəri ǁ ˈθiːəri] noun theories PLURALFORM 1. [countable] an idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain why something happens or how it works: theory of • The book is called An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change . • The theory… … Financial and business terms
Theory m — – A Theory of Leadership Management = Theory M X Y The Theory M style of leadership is one that recognizes that it is necessary to employ a variety of tactics for varying management situations. This type manager / leader is confident in his… … Wikipedia
Theory — The o*ry, n.; pl. {Theories}. [F. th[ e]orie, L. theoria, Gr. ? a beholding, spectacle, contemplation, speculation, fr. ? a spectator, ? to see, view. See {Theater}.] 1. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
theory — theory, social theory A theory is an account of the world which goes beyond what we can see and measure. It embraces a set of interrelated definitions and relationships that organizes our concepts of and understanding of the empirical world in a… … Dictionary of sociology
theory — I noun assumption, belief, conjecture, doctrina, doctrine, dogma, guesswork, hypothesis, ideology, opinion, philosophy, postulate, presupposition, proposition, ratio, speculation, supposition, surmise, thesis, thought, untested opinion, view… … Law dictionary
Theory X — ˌTheory ˈX noun [singular] HUMAN RESOURCES the theory that employees will not work well unless managers pay close attention to their work and control them by encouraging or threatening them * * * Theory X UK US noun [S] ► HR, MANAGEMENT the idea… … Financial and business terms
Theory Y — ˌTheory ˈY noun [singular] HUMAN RESOURCES the theory that employees will generally work well and take responsibility for their own work, if they have the right conditions and rewards * * * Theory Y UK US noun [S] ► HR, MANAGEMENT the idea that… … Financial and business terms
Theory Z — ˌTheory ˈZ noun [singular] HUMAN RESOURCES the theory that when employees are very involved in their organization and in making decisions, as in the Japanese style of management, they work better and produce more * * * Theory Z UK US noun [S] ►… … Financial and business terms
theory — [thē′ə rē, thir′ē] n. pl. theories [< Fr or LL: Fr théorie < LL theoria < Gr theōria, a looking at, contemplation, speculation, theory < theōrein: see THEOREM] 1. Obs. a mental viewing; contemplation 2. a speculative idea or plan as… … English World dictionary
theory — ► NOUN (pl. theories) 1) a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. 2) an idea accounting for or justifying something. 3) a set of… … English terms dictionary
theory — theory … Philosophy dictionary
