The Test of a Good Theory

What is a good theory? How would you know one if you found it? These are the questions addressed by two organizational behaviorists in an attempt to point out the directions for future research.

The first notes that any theory must be of practical relevance for managers. That is, it must be useful. To be useful, the researchers suggest 5 conditions that must be met:

1. Descriptive Relevance: The theory must accurately describe the phenomenon actually encountered by the manager.
2. Goal Relevance: The theory must relate to something that the managers wishes to influence.
3. Operational Validity: The theory must relate to variables that the managers can control.
4. Non-obviousness: The theory must add something beyond the ‘common sense’ level of knowledge.
5. Timeliness: Must be available at the time when managers need it.

Contributed By:
Indrani Kar
(Knowledge Cell - Globsyn Business School)

Source:
Kenneth W Thomas and Walter G Tymon, Jr.
“NECESSARY PROPERTIES OF RELEVANT RESEARCH: Lessons from recent criticisms of the organizational Sciences Academy of Management Review 7”