PhD Course – Phenomenon-Driven Theory Development

Intended Audience:

PhD Students



Language:

English



Cycle:

Every Winter Term



Requirements:

Prior registration for the course is necessary.



UniVZ:

801869



Workload:

Seminar (2 Blocks)

Summer Term 2025

Attendance: Physical attendance in the classroom is required for in-person classes, and attendance (participation) will be part of the grade.

Date	Time	Room
22.07.2025	09:00 - 17:00	Oec 1.134
23.07.2025	09:00 - 17:00	Oec 1.134

Course Description will be uploaded




Background

Generating new theory is among the most challenging and most rewarding of academic endeavors. Theory not only helps distinguish academic scholarship from journalism and consulting but also establishes the identity and boundaries of an academic discipline. A significant starting point for theorizing is often the researcher’s intellectual dwelling with the phenomenon under study. Phenomenon-based theorizing is a powerful way to develop theories that explain novel yet poorly understood phenomena (Fisher et al., 2021; Gregory & Henfridsson, 2021; Van de Ven, 2007).
The objective of the course is to familiarize the student with theory development in management and business technology research. The focus is on methods and practices that help the researcher to develop theories that are novel, insightful, and logical.




Learning Objectives:

By the end of this seminar, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of theory:

• What theory is and what theory is not


• Boundary conditions


• Perspectives, nature, and levels of theory


• "good" theory

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of theorizing:

• Reasoning


• Perspectives on theorizing


• "Good" theorizing


• Variance and process theorizing

And, furthermore, demonstrate an understanding of writing theory papers:

• Positioning theory papers


• Making theory accessible


• Psychology of writing theory papers


• Theoretical contribution


• Problematization

New addition

In addition, there will be half a day of seminar-style sessions with presentations and feedback discussions, providing an opportunity for PhD students to receive input on their research projects. Presenting in these sessions is voluntary.