MGMT 8003M: Week 5: Theories in Practice Assignment

MGMT 8003M: Gateway to Doctoral Studies | Week 5

“A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.”

—E. W. Howe

Theoretical concepts, and the theories that relate these concepts to one another, are key elements in any field of study, and management is no exception.

Theories are useful in examining problems without getting distracted by circumstantial and environmental factors; they allow scientists to isolate key elements and speculate about their relationships. The accuracy and validity of theories is tested through real-world observations or experiments. The results frequently give rise to revisions or indeed the emergence of brand new theories needed to explain what was observed. Given the key role theory plays in scientific inquiry, it is important that you develop related skills, such as applying theory to practical examples, and basing your analyses of case studies and observations on relevant theories. The systematic use of theory is not only critical to your success as a Doctoral student at Walden, but it will guide your academic work as well as your professional practice throughout your career.

Since theory is an abstract and sometimes difficult concept to understand, we will dedicate a comprehensive Discussion this week to the topic of theory. This will give you the opportunity to experience theory on multiple levels and become more familiar with it and its various applications.

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Learning Objectives – MGMT 8003M: Week 5: Theories in Practice Assignment

You will:

• Explain personal perspectives on selected management theories and their applications
• Analyze connections between perception, theory, and practice

Skills

You will develop the following skills:

• Synthesizes and integrates fairly complex or ambiguous information into what is already known about a topic.
• Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with team members over the duration of a project
• Carefully listens to others; understands, respects, and fully considers diverse thoughts and opinions

Source: Laureate Education (2017). Workplace skills competency framework. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Recommended Readings

Nirenberg, J. (2004). Theories x, y, and z. In G. R. Goethals, G. J. Sorenson, & J. M. Burns (Eds.), Encyclopedia of leadership (Vol. 4, pp. 1539–1541). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. doi:10.4135/9781412952392.n350

Schyns, B., Kiefer, T., Kerschreiter, R., & Tymon, A. (2011). Teaching implicit leadership theories to develop leaders and leadership: How and why it can make a difference. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 10(3), 397–408. doi:10.5465/amle.2010.0015

Document: Stewart, M. (2010, August). Theory U and Theory T. Strategy+Business, Autumn 2010(60). Reprinted by permission of Strategy + Business via the Copyright Clearance Center. (PDF)

Twelve Management site (n.d.). Management methods and models. Retrieved November 20, 2017 from https://www.12manage.com/

Walden University. (n.d.-m). Theorists and theories. Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/theory

Walden University. (n.d.-o). Walden templates. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general

Note: Focus exclusively on “Course Paper.”

Recommended Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014n). Theory [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.

Resources on Skills

Laureate Education (Producer). (2017). Concept analysis methods [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.

Concept analysis is an important beginning step in the process of theory development to develop a conceptual definition. It is crucial that concepts are clearly defined to reduce ambiguity. [Note that this clip refers to a different course of study; however, the statements about theory are generally applicable and useful.]
Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities. MGMT 8003M: Week 5: Theories in Practice Assignment