科学理论的使命与本质特征及其对管理理论发展的启示
Mission and Nature of Scientific Theory and Its Implications for Developing Management Theories

摘要 理论在科学研究与学科发展中具有基础性作用。在科学发展中，理论作为一种人造物，其使命在于帮助人们正确地解释、预测认识对象，并指导相关的社会实践。管理学科在过去30年中理论进步相当缓慢，出现的诸多问题在一定程度上起源于对理论的认识偏差。基于亨普尔对理论的界定，从理论的本质特征出发，进行分析发现，当前主流管理学研究对于理论本身存在着比较普遍的误读，导致管理研究的“理论贡献”不能很好地促进学科发展。鉴于此，为了推动管理理论的发展，管理学界需要正确认识科学理论的使命和本质特征。最后，讨论了所提出的观点对发展管理理论的启示。
Theory plays a fundamental role in scientific research and discipline development. However, theory development in management discipline has experienced a rather slow progress among the last 30 years. The present study concludes that the current problems to some extent stem from an inappropriate understanding of theory. In the process of scientific development, the mission of theory is to correctly explain and predict the research object, and provide guidance to related social practices. With respect to the nature of theory, this paper adopts Hempel’s definition of theory. Our literature review indicates that mainstream management literature has widely misunderstood the nature of theory. Accordingly, the theoretical contributions in academic studies are not sufficient to promote the development of management discipline. In conclusion, with intention to advance theory development, the management community needs to correctly understand the mission and nature of scientific theory. Implications on developing management theory are discussed at the end of this paper