This book is a practical guide on how to write conceptual papers and use conceptual generalization as a research methodology. Divided into two parts, the book first focuses on the scientific foundation for conceptual generalization, to identify what is a conceptual model and how conceptual models can be developed. Part two focuses on how to write a winning conceptual thesis, covering conceptual generalisation and empirical generalisation, and discusses research problems and questions, and how to analyse them.
The authors cover different conceptual and analytical models to offer students a multitude of tools to visualize, interpret and uncover relationships and patterns. For example, they explore the thought experiment, analytical models, empirical causal models, analytical forms and data mining models, and outline a strategy for developing conceptual models to assist with students who wish to design their own conceptual paper. Students gain a clear understanding of the driving forces in the research process, how to define a research problem, how to analysis the problem and develop research strategies. Moving from concepts to hypotheses, the book also covers the main types of errors that may be encountered as students learn about understanding the development of models and how to develop a theory.
Also including a checklist for students, and a list of definitions and concepts, this is the ideal resource for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, and researchers, in the social sciences.
Jon-Arild Johannessen is Professor in Leadership, at Kristiania University College, Norway. He has previously held professor roles at Syd-Danske University, Denmark, The Arctic University, Norway, Bodø Graduate School of Business, Norway, and Norwegian School of Management (BI). He has written more than 200 international papers on innovation, knowledge management and leadership and is a prolific author, with over 30 books under his belt. Professor Johannessen has received a number of international awards for his research.
Bjørn Olsen is Professor in Leadership at Nord University Business School. He also holds a professor position at Kristiania University college. He has previously been the Dean at Nord University Business School, and the President of Nord University. His research interest is on innovation, entrepreneurship, knowledge management and leadership. He has received international awards for his research.
