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Philosophy of Management

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30-11-2017

An Exposition of Process Theory and Critique of Mohr’s (1982) Conceptualization Thereof

Authors: Fred Niederman, Salvatore T. March

Published in: Philosophy of Management | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Championed by Whitehead (1979), a process metaphysics has been forwarded as one way of conceptualizing the fundamental nature of our existence. On an applied level, we might use the notion of process within the framework of scientific method to advance our knowledge of how we might take steps to create particular outcomes or states that we desire within organizations. We discuss both forward and backward looking approaches to developing process theory. Ultimately, though, in this paper, we present discussion of the limits of Mohr’s (1982) conceptualization of process theory and show (1) how his discussion focuses on a subset or limited view of process (and would render invisible other alternatives) and (2) how such limitation of view retards the accumulation of knowledge regarding individuals and organizations as a storehouse of process approaches toward achieving specified results.

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The backward looking perspective may be termed “retroduction” as an alternative to induction or deduction. See for example Henfridsson and Yoo (2017) who reference Sayer (1992).

Professor Lawrence B. Mohr taught for 33 years at the University of Michigan transitioning to an emeritus faculty member in 1999. He taught in political science and public policy. http://um2017.org/faculty-history/faculty/lawrence-b-mohr/memoir

Why use the adjective “little” to describe story? Does this suggest that the story is succinct and to the point (perhaps) or does it suggest minimal and insubstantial (equally possible). This is one basis for considering Mohr’s view of process theory as “damning by faint praise” because while appearing to promote process theory he appears to be denigrating it at the same time.

Additional recent work contrasts process theory with other theory perspectives, most notably variance theory (e.g., Burton-Jones et al. 2015). This work stresses the value of examining both static entities and the processes by which they change. W Ortiz de Guinea and Webster (2017) take this a step further proposing a number of approaches for integrating process and variance theory for more comprehensive examinations of management or information systems domains.

We note that this is in contrast to his discussion of variance theory where the precursor (X) must be necessary AND sufficient for the outcome (Y). As pointed out in the further discussion throughout the book, this reduces the field of organizational behavior to a field with little theory.

Mohr (1982) does not address issues of systems theory or the systems approach where “equifinality” is a foundational concept, meaning that outcomes can be assumed to be resultant from many pathways but not at equal cost, benefit, or risk.

Note that this clearly differentiates Mohr’s views from the more holistic adherents to a full Whiteheadian view of process philosophy. Our views of testing pathways and sequences of events as processes in terms of their own attributes and outcomes, shares this view of time as divided into discrete and describable units. We would, however, add that in all likelihood the discrete view of time periods is not inherent in observed nature, but rather a human construct useful in interacting with dynamics.

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Title: An Exposition of Process Theory and Critique of Mohr’s (1982) Conceptualization Thereof
Authors: Fred Niederman
Salvatore T. March
Publication date: 30-11-2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Philosophy of Management / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1740-3812
Electronic ISSN: 2052-9597
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40926-017-0082-x

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