管理理论的因果关系检验——实证主义的问题与批判实在论的启示

实证主义是绝大多数管理研究“不言自明”的哲学根基。在深入分析实证主义因果关系的本质及管理本体与研究者能动性后,认为当前管理研究在实证主义哲学根基下,对经验事件间“恒常联系”的追求将继续加剧管理理论“丛林”现象,管理理论的粹片化会更明显。而批判实在论以分层本体论为基础的因果关系解释模式可以弥补实证研究中对因果机制检验不足的缺陷。通过将该因果关系解释模式具体化为可操作的步骤,并将其与主流管理研究方法结合,可以为更严格地检验管理理论中的因果关系提供启示。

Causality Test of Management Theory-Problems of Positivism and Implications from Critical Realism

Positivism is the "self-evident" philosophical foundation of the vast majority of management studies. After analyses of the causality nature in positivism, management ontology and initiatives of management researchers, it is concluded that under the current philosophical foundation management theory the "jungle" phenomenon will last for long. Critical realism, based on the stratified ontology, can make up for the deficiency of causality tests in the empirical studies. Making this causal interpretation model into actionable steps and combining the model with the mainstream management research methods can provide implications for a more rigorous test of the causal relationships in management theory.