Explaining Management Phenomena

Eric W. K. Tsang is the Dallas World Salute Distinguished Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, and a fellow of the Academy of International Business. He is a leading management scholar in applying philosophy to tackle methodological problems. In 2017, he published The Philosophy of Management Research (2016).

• 1. The nature of explanation; 2. Causation; 3. Modes of explanation; 4. Micro foundations; 5. Theory versus non-theory-based explanation; 6. Multi-theoretical explanation; 7. Research methods; 8. Explanation as science (or art?).

‘Professor Tsang has written an extremely timely book addressing a long-standing and thorny challenge in management research: How do we know that we know something? In other words, when do we know we have a good explanation for organizational phenomena? These are not mere “philosophical curiosities.” Rather, these questions are about how good and useful management theory and research are. Thus, the book offers a comprehensive discussion on how to produce management research that is both rigorous and applicable. I look forward to sharing this book with doctoral students and colleagues around the world.’ Herman Aguinis, President, Academy of Management; Avram Tucker Distinguished Scholar, Professor of Management, & Chairperson, Department of Management, The George Washington University School of Business