Rigor and Relevance in Management Typologies : Assessing the Quality of Qualitative Classifications
Series
=mcm working paper
Type
working paper
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Typologies are a unique form of theory building and can provide orientation to scholars and practitioners alike. However, typologies are often developed without explicitly paying attention to their inherent rigor and relevance issues. In this article, we examine the elements that constitute rigor and relevance in qualitative typologies, particularly in management studies, and illustrate them through two examples from the strategy and from the project management literature. Our analysis reveals that researchers should pay attention to the choice of classification principles and focus on the ultimate purpose of their typologies in both academia and practice as well as on the judicious use of an adequate visual representation of their classification. As a contribution to the study of typologies in management studies we compile, organize, and extend the current quality attributes for typologies in this context and show how those attributes can be systematically met
Language
English
Keywords
Typology
classification
qualitative research
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
No
Publisher
=mcm institute
Publisher place
St. Gallen
Number
1/2011
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
75591