This is a research training course on theory development for Higher Degree Research students in the Research School of Management. The topic will cover the role of theory in business management disciplines in a two pronged way—by covering both theory process and content. The course will begin with the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of theory and theoretical contribution (i.e., the process element of theory) in management/marketing research. Then the topic will move on to theory content by covering influential theories in business management. The course will aim to cover theories that deal with micro, meso and macro phenomena. The overall goal is to strengthen knowledge and skills of advanced research candidates on the role of theory in research, learn about—and from—influential theories and practice developing their own theoretical insights into the specific business management phenomena of interest to them.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the nature of theory and theoretical contribution in management and marketing research
- Demonstrate familiarity with key theories in management and marketing
- Critically evaluate the role of theoretical contribution in research
- Synthesise theoretical perspectives and literature on the topic of your choice
- Develop a theoretical model explaining some aspect of the (CLO4) topic of your choice
- Present the model and its theoretical contribution in oral and written formats.
Indicative Assessment
- Typical assessments may include, but is not restricted to: in-class exercises, written and oral assignments, quizzes, examinations, group project tasks, oral presentation, and other assessment deemed appropriate to show attainment of the learning outcomes set for the course. Further details will be made available via the Class Summary. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Oral assessment task. Further details, including % value, will be made available via the Class Summary. (0) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Written assessment task. Further details, including % value, will be made available via the Class Summary. (0) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students taking this course are expected to commit 130 hours to completing the work. For semester length offerings this will typically include 3 hours per week in class and at least 7 hours a week on average (excluding non-teaching weeks) on course reading, research, writing and assessment work.
Inherent Requirements
The ability to communicate to individuals and a broader audience in oral and written formats.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Management to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Information about the prescribed textbook (if any) will be made available via the Class Summary.
Preliminary Reading
Indicative only; the final list includes about 30 readings (2-3 per week on average). Further information will be made available via the Class Summary and course Wattle site.
- Elfenbein, H. A. (2007). Emotion in organizations: a review and theoretical integration. The Academy of Management Annals, 1(1), 315-386.
- Gavetti, G., Greve, H. R., Levinthal, D. A., & Ocasio, W. (2012). The behavioral theory of the firm: Assessment and prospects. The Academy of Management Annals, 6(1), 1-40.
- Gibbons, R. (2010). Transaction-cost economics: past, present, and future?. Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 112(2), 263-288.
- Gregor, S. (2006). The nature of theory in information systems. MIS Quarterly, 30(3), 611-642.
- Gregor, S. (2017). On theory. In R. Galliers & M-K. Stein. (Eds.) The Routledge Companion to Management Information Systems (pp. 57-72). Routledge.
- Hotho, J. J., & Pedersen, T. (2012). Institutions and international business research: Three institutional approaches and recommendations for future research. In R. V. Tulder, A. Verbeke, L. Voinea (Ed.), New Policy Challenges for European Multinationals (Progress In International Business Research, 7, pp. 135 – 152), Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
- Suddaby, R. (2014). Editor's comments: Why theory?. Academy of Management Review, 39(4), 407-411.
- Vargo, S. L., & Lusch, R. F. (2008). Service-dominant logic: continuing the evolution. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 36(1), 1-10.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8141 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |