The legitimacy and efficacy of current organizational theory: An analysis

Abstract

This article examines organization, management, and leadership theory development and evolution from the perspectives of legitimacy and efficacy. Based on this examination, we support rigorous testing and grounded theory approaches, advocate the use of evidence-based theory development, and offer the 5P's Model of Strategic Leadership as an example of a model that originated from evidence-based theory development. We suggest that researchers, faculty members, and business practitioners should be able to contemplate and debate the usefulness of various theories and models with the understanding that application is essential for substantiation of their worth. In this article, we analyze existing organizational theory, but we also advocate the introduction of new organization theories. This can occur if researchers in the various educational institutions, business organizations, professional organizations, and media outlets are more open to the creation of a variety of models and theories, the legitimacy and usefulness of which can later be substantiated through application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Copyright of International Journal of Management is the property of International Journal of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)