Introduction
The influential role of science in the modern world implies the necessity of a significant level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for conducting scientific research by specialists. A person can utilize accumulated knowledge to implement changes based on scientific evidence, thereby contributing to the effectiveness of any enterprise. Professionals in various fields must be able to organize research activities and use existing evidence.
The theory is an essential part of scientific knowledge, studies, and their organization, and various researchers have investigated the essence of the theory, its necessity, and its application. Although the development of theories has been attracting researchers’ attention for a long time, they continue to identify gaps and problems in their understanding and application.
Understanding Theory
Science seeks to explore, understand, and explain the world, creating and structuring a certain body of knowledge about it, and theory helps in this task. Theories provide a conceptual understanding of various phenomena that are difficult to accurately identify, for example, how society lives and develops (Reeves et al., 2008). Stewart and Klein (2016) define theory as the explanation of a phenomenon through the study of related facts. They also describe it as laws and principles relating to the phenomenon’s essence (Stewart & Klein, 2016). To better understand the core of the theory, Wacker (1998) distinguishes its four components:
- Definition of variables or critical terms.
- Domain, which means circumstances or setting for the theory application.
- Certain logical relationships between identified variables.
- Possibility of theory-based predictions.
Combining all the highlighted characteristics, the theory describes variables in a particular domain to show the causal relationship between them, allowing researchers to make predictions (Wacker, 1998). Therefore, theory occupies a critical place in the process of knowing the world.
There are differing opinions on how to apply theory and its benefits. Some researchers suggest that its application is limited and of no value (Gough, 2013; Wacker, 1998). Several key areas of criticism of the theory are distinguished – it does not have to be applied. It does not benefit the world (Wacker, 1998).
However, the researchers highlight several criteria for determining a good theory that can help overcome these concerns. Stewart and Klein (2016) identified four such characteristics: the theory should be explanatory, plausible, explicit, and parsimonious. They adapted their list using Wacker’s (1998) article, but this paper presented the features of a good theory differently, highlighting internal consistency, uniqueness, abstraction, generalizability, fecundity, empirical riskiness, and conservatism. A well-developed theory is essential and valuable for conducting scientific research.
Theory Significance for Research
Several reasons justify the use of theories in research. The application of theory in scientific studies provides researchers with various “lenses” or perspectives that focus attention on a specific aspect of a complex phenomenon for its detailed exploration and analysis (Reeves et al., 2008). Moreover, theories help choose the appropriate framework for analyzing the object under study, determine research methods, and contribute to the precise formulation of explanations (Wacker, 1998). In practice, theories enable research that helps explain and understand the situation, track basic patterns and principles, and inform strategies to improve circumstances or inform predictions (Boer et al., 2015; Reeves et al., 2008). These features and properties of theories make them indispensable in the research process.
The definition of the research perspective depends significantly on the level of theory applied. Grand theories are universal and not specific, combine many variables, and are challenging to use practically (Reeves et al., 2008). Mid-range theories have a narrower focus on a particular phenomenon in several contexts, combining a few concepts. Finally, micro-level theories narrow the research perspective the most and can be most effectively translated into practical actions at the individual level (Reeves et al., 2008). Researchers must be careful when choosing an approach to conduct their research or proposing a new theory, and pay attention to its level.
The theory is applicable at various stages of the research process. In the initial step, it helps justify the need for the study and demonstrates how the findings can be used. As a result, it also contributes to establishing goals that the researcher wants to achieve. Theories are also closely related to methodology, as they are often used in combinations (Reeves et al., 2008). Choosing a specific approach to the study determines which methods will help researchers better achieve their goals and select tools for analyzing and collecting data (Stewart and Klein, 2016). Thus, theories help choose a particular research direction, focusing on a specific aspect and making the study more accurate.
The Future of Research in Various Fields
The use of theories in research has several challenges that attract the attention of researchers. For example, Boer et al. (2015) consider the significance of theory in the study of management and the possibilities of theoretical contribution. The researchers argue that theories are an essential driver in research (Boer et al., 2015). However, they also note problems in using theory in social research and that the process requires improvement (Boer et al., 2015).
These assumptions are consistent with Davies et al. (2010), who explored the’ application of theories in implementation science. Their study also demonstrates that researchers often fail to justify their choice of theories adequately, and much research lacks theoretical foundations (Davies et al., 2010). These sources emphasize the importance of carefully selecting theories for the study and suggest that they should be used more widely in research.
Theory discussion also leads to considering research problems in various fields and assumptions about their future development. For example, Bagozzi and Phillips (1982) highlight another problem of theories in research and argue that many studies in the social sciences, including organizational development, are too disparate. The lack of a single, holistic approach to research results in an insufficient connection between theory and hypothesis testing, leading to the dissemination of many unreliable ideas that cannot adequately explain the phenomena being studied.
They propose a holistic constraint for creating and testing hypotheses to control potential errors in the process (Bagozzi & Phillips, 1982). Consequently, Bagozzi and Phillips (1982) envision the future of organizational research as a strict and holistic approach to evaluating theories and hypotheses within the study. By adopting this approach, researchers can make the greatest contribution to knowledge development.
Theorists also discuss the question of research influence on theory development. Boer et al. (2015) distinguish between two main ways to contribute to theory: identifying phenomena that are not sufficiently explained by existing theories and empirically testing the theory. Even paying attention to the theory’s importance, Boer et al. (2015) argue that it should not always be the starting point of research. Criticism of existing theories or mere observation can also make a theoretical contribution.
The authors also argue that when researchers propose a new theory, they should consider the level it claims, as high-level theories are fundamental but less practically applicable (Boer et al., 2015). Thus, good research should show that existing theories do not explain certain phenomena and propose a new hypothesis or make a theoretical contribution by expanding the understanding and application of current theories. Future management research should follow these directions to be valuable for science.
Theory and Practice
Empirical and theoretical knowledge are closely interrelated in research. Empirical studies identify new data and stimulate academic development, and theories, in turn, organize, concretize, and direct research. Therefore, an essential aspect of scientific knowledge is the connection between theory and practice, and how and under what conditions thought is transformed into action and embodied in the practical activities of people. Reckwitz (2002) emphasizes that theories need to focus more on praxeological thinking, that is, human actions and purposeful behavior. Therefore, his research suggests that future studies should focus on the practical application of the theory.
Management in various areas is closely tied to the policies and procedures adopted within them. As a result, another important aspect of considering the theory is how research changes politics and the world. Gough (2013) notes that many theories lack sufficient evidence to be applied in politics. While theories should be the basis of research that should lead to changes, researchers also note the gap between research and practice (Gough, 2013). This problem correlates with several studies previously discussed in the paper.
In particular, research has significantly increased due to the lack of a single approach, which interferes with its quality and, accordingly, its implementation in practice. Moreover, Boer et al. (2015) note that it is often more practical to focus on mid-level and micro-level theories. Therefore, the future of research should also focus on how to translate their findings into practical applications and lead to meaningful change.
The research-practice gap is a significant issue for management studies. Božič et al. (2021) note that the lack of cooperation between academics and practitioners results in limited research utilization and a less evidence-based justification of decisions in practice. They emphasize that it is essential to build collaboration between the parties through the involvement of practitioners in research, especially at the stages of formulating research goals (Božič et al., 2021). The researchers believe there is a barrier to such a study, as the parties do not make sufficient effort to establish cooperation.
Additionally, studies often do not provide specific recommendations for improving practice, but rather offer a better understanding of it (Božič et al., 2021). As a result, practitioners and researchers often lack sufficient motivation to collaborate. As the discussion above shows, several studies indicate a need to focus on the transition of theory into practice. It is crucial to overcome the barriers between researchers and practitioners to ensure cooperation.
In particular, research directed toward change should be both understandable and applicable; practitioners need to better understand academic language, and researchers should offer specific, practical recommendations. Moreover, it is essential to encourage collaboration and engagement of parties by overcoming stereotypes about each other and communicating more (Božič et al., 2021). The joint work of practitioners and researchers can lead to significant changes and improvements in management, which represents a benchmark for future research.
Methodological Issues
An essential aspect of applying theories in research is methodology. Reeves et al. (2008) note that theories and methods are often closely related. Wacker (1998) also distinguishes types of study, which contribute to the construction of theories, and connects them with a specific methodology. That is, the choice of the research direction, which is based on a particular theory or decision to create a theory, affects which methods to use. Like Bagozzi (1982), Wacker (1998) notes the problem of a lack of a unified approach to research. At the same time, challenges also arise when using various research methods.
The problems associated with the choice of methodology reduce its diversity in research and, as a result, decrease its reliability. For example, there is some skepticism and mistrust of qualitative methods compared to quantitative methods, which also lessens the use of a mixed approach (Christofi et al., 2021). Moreover, Christofi et al. (2021) note the lack of changes and innovations in research methods in management. The study suggests that a critical focus for future research is revising controversial points in the methodology and efforts aimed at enhancing its diversity and trustworthiness.
Conclusion
Thus, this paper examines the significance of theory in research across various management areas, as well as related challenges and opportunities for future research. Theories are necessary to explain the essence of complex phenomena, and in conducting the study, they enable the selection of a specific direction for focus. However, the researchers pay attention to various problems and challenges in applying theories and give suggestions for future research. In particular, they note the insufficient use of theories in research, the significant gap between theory and practice, and problems with the methodology choice. Future research should fill this knowledge gap to enhance the quality of research.
References
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