Developing a New Theory of Knowledge Sharing: Documenting and Reflecting on a Messy Process

Maris G. Martinsons; Robert M. Davison; Carol Xiaojuan Ou

doi:10.5465/ambpp.2015.11328abstract

Developing a New Theory of Knowledge Sharing : Documenting and Reflecting on a Messy Process

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication) › peer-review

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Detail(s)

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Academy of Management Proceedings
Editors	Sonia Taneja
Publication status	Published - Jan 2015

Publication series

Name	Academy of Management Proceedings
Publisher	Academy of Management
Number	1
Volume	2015
ISSN (Print)	0065-0668
ISSN (electronic)	2151-6561

Conference

Title	75th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM 2015)
Place	Canada
City	Vancouver
Period	7 - 11 August 2015

Link(s)

DOI	DOI https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2015.11328abstract Final Published version
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Attachment(s)	Documents 83495100.pdf Post-print, 316 KB, PDF Publisher's Copyright Statement Copyright of Academy of Management Proceedings is the property of Academy of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. Martinsons, M. G., Davison, R. M., & Ou, C. X. (2015). Developing a New Theory of Knowledge Sharing: Documenting and Reflecting on a Messy Process. In S. Taneja (Ed.), Academy of Management Proceedings (Academy of Management Proceedings; Vol. 2015, No. 1). https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2015.11328abstract.
Permanent Link	https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(5559965f-77a0-4a2d-95f3-f1202d491aea).html

Abstract

Much has been written about theories and how they can be tested. Unfortunately, much less has been written about how to develop them. This paper sheds light on the process of new theory development. We document and reflect on how we developed a context-sensitive indigenous theory of knowledge sharing by studying Chinese organizations. By reviewing and refining our own somewhat messy process, we have identified six key stages: abstract, identify, select, explain, synthesize, and validate. By presenting our model of theory development to the Academy of Management, we aim to encourage greater discussion of how theories can be developed, to stimulate the development of new contextual theories, and to provide useful methodological guidance for those who take up the theory building challenge.