Abduction as the type of inference that characterizes the development of a grounded theory

Abstract

In this article, abduction is introduced in relation to theorizing in grounded theory. Theoretical insights are inevitable cornerstones of the development of a grounded theory and abduction is worked out as a type of inference that characterizes this development. How abduction could be used in grounded theorizing is shown in a grounded theory research on ëorganizing doubtí, i.e. the way Dutch army units are formed with self-organizing capabilities that can be deployed during crisis operations. The authors show that two concepts from organizational theory that are central in this grounded theoryís analytical framework - i.e. ëdynamic complexityí and ëself-organizationí - are developed and embedded in a substantive theory on ëorganizing doubtí by abductive reasoning.