The God of Variance has feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advocate the use of processual rather than the common variance‐theoretic approaches to the study of groups and organizational processes. There is a proliferation of paradigms and a lack of cumulation in organization science. This paper argues that this is due to the adoption of an inappropriate philosophy. Early on, the field adopted the variance‐theoretic approach instead of a process‐theoretic approach. The dominant paradigm is not one of theory, but one of method.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper systematically undermines the basis for variance‐theoretic approaches to the study of groups and organizational phenomena, followed by a discussion of how and why processual approaches provide remedies.

Findings

As group and organizational phenomena are inherently processual in nature, it makes more sense to study them with processual methods.

Research limitations/implications

The argument for the solution offered in this article is based on one concept of a group and organizational process. Other types of process models are not excluded.

Practical implications

It is possible that the continued use of variance‐theoretical approaches is a form of professional misconduct leading to paradigm proliferation instead of progress.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original analysis of both variance‐theoretic and processual approaches to the study of group and organizational processes.

Citation

Mackenzie, K.D. (2007), "The God of Variance has feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/19348830710860129