Propositional, Perspectival, and Provocative Styles of Theorizing

It is clear that theorizing in our discipline is primarily aimed at explaining and predicting phenomena in terms of causes and effects related to underlying structures and mechanisms (propositional style). In the recently published article Unlocking the Power of Diversity for Supply Chain Knowledge: Is Pluralism in Theorizing Styles the Key? by Joep Cornelissen, Victoria Stephens, and Lee Matthews in the Journal of Supply Chain Management, the authors argue for a pluralistic approach to theorizing in SCM research. They criticize the dominance of the propositional style of theorizing, which focuses on explaining and predicting phenomena, and propose the inclusion of perspectival and provocative styles. These alternative styles aim to reinterpret and critique existing concepts, respectively. The authors emphasize that the incorporation of multiple theorizing styles can lead to better, more comprehensive knowledge production in SCM by addressing the complex and dynamic nature of the discipline. They call for an inclusive epistemology that values diverse epistemic goals equally and promotes a more reflexive and holistic understanding of supply chain management phenomena.

Cornelissen, J., Stephens, V., & Matthews, L. (2024). Unlocking the Power of Diversity for Supply Chain Knowledge: Is Pluralism in Theorizing Styles the Key? Journal of Supply Chain Management, 60(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12328