Preface xi

PART ONE

FOUNDATIONS OF THEORY BUILDING

1 To Hell with Gravity

2 Foundations and Definitions of Theory Building

3 General Method of Theory Building in Applied Disciplines

Contributed by Susan A. Lynham

PART TWO

PHASES OF THEORY BUILDING

4 Conceptualize Phase

5 Operationalize Phase

6 Confirm Phase

7 Apply Phase

8 Refine Phase

PART THREE

SUCCESSFUL THEORY BUILDING

9 Case Example: Marsick and Watkins’s Learning Organization Theory

10 Case Example: Chermack’s Scenario Planning Theory

11 Figuring Out the Present Status of a Theory 

12 Whatcha Gonna Do?

References

Author Index

Subject Index 

About the Authors