Research Methods in International Business by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030221133
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Particular Generalization, General Particularization, and Overdetermination

Rejecting the notion that historians do not wish to use theory, Gaddis points out thatWe do, however, normally embed our generalizations within our narratives. In seeking to show how past processes have produced present structures, we draw upon whatever theories we can find that will help us accomplish that task. (2002: 62, italics in original)

Hence “particular generalization” is what historians do; they “generalize for particular purposes.” On the other hand, “general particularization” is what most social scientists typically do: “… embedding narratives within generalizations.” Social scientists’ “… principal objective is to confirm or refute a hypothesis, and they subordinate narration to that task” (2002: 63). In other words, historians make sense out of extensive narratives by giving them some limited general applicability (they generalize the particular); and social scientists use limited narratives to illustrate presumably general theories (they particularize the general).

An example of particular generalization is Chandler’s (1962) earlier-mentioned proposition that “structure follows strategy,” which was embedded in his historical narratives about DuPont, Sears, General Motors, and Standard Oil of New Jersey. Even though further research by other scholars modified and reformulated this generalization, it proved seminal in stimulating the development of the strategic management field. A modest example of general particularization, on the other hand, is the development of a theoretical framework for deriving different forms of “strategic integration” involving collaboration between individual businesses in the multibusiness corporation (Burgelman and Doz 2001). “Exampling” – seeking out supporting cases (Glaser and Strauss 1967: 5) – is used to illustrate the theoretical forms of strategic integration:1.minimal;

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