The Case for Formal Theory

Ron Adner, Dartmouth
Laszlo Polos, Durham
Michael D. Ryall, Melbourne Business School
Olav Sorenson, University of Toronto

Abstract

This special topic forum contains seven papers that illustrate many of the ways in which management researchers can use formal tools—mathematical methods, simulation, and formal logic—to develop management research. Here we offer an overview of these methods and their advantages as tools for theory building.