Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior

1 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
In The Name Of the Most Almighty
Methodology and Research in
Organizational Behavior
Location: University of Tehran, Public Administration Department, Class No: 14
Time: 14-17 A.M. Mondays
Instructors: Ali Asghar Pourezzat
Office: Room65
Office Hours: 9:00 – 15:00
Phone: (+9821)61117665
Fax: (+9821)88006477
Email: pourezzat@ut.ac.ir
I. Course Overview
In this course we will examine methodological problems associated with the
organizational behavior. The purpose of the course is to improve your effectiveness as
a researcher by introducing you to frameworks from the social sciences'
methodologies that are useful for understanding organization & public issues in their
environment by giving you experiences about a diversity of approaches for applying
these frameworks for particular cases.
A basic premise of this course is that the needs of high-level researchers are best
served by a liberal education rather than book oriented approaches to managing
research programs.
The research programs that worked well in the past will not necessarily continue to
work well in the future, and changes that helped one type of them may harm another.
Thus, an effective professional education should teach you how to make good
inferences about what will work and what will not in particular situations, and how to
learn from your own experiences as well as those of others. Your job then is to take
the concepts you have learned in class and think about how they apply to your own
research program, very carefully considering your special context.
II. Course Objectives
As in every advanced course I teach, the general objectives for students are:
To develop the ability to interact with and process the information with a
high degree of sophistication;
To develop effective team skills;
To gain effective written and oral communication skills;
To develop the ability to learn independently;
To make continuous improvement during the course.
At the end of this course students should be able:
To participate and accomplish research process, including problems

2 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
recognition, developing their definitions, monitoring their causes and effects,
suggestion of solution-oriented alternatives, consequence prediction and
offering a new proposal in order to directing future researches;
To point out and discuss how certain social researches can be conducted;
To identify and analyze personal biases and how they could be avoided
during the process of research;
To apply analytical and problem-solving skills in the application of
organizational research about leadership, decision-making, communication
and group dynamics impacts and their implications in social life;
To understand the nature, scope and historical literature of research and
methodology;
To understand the various schools of thought that have constructed the
theories and practices of management research methodologies;
To see, understand and appreciate theories, facts, events, issues, problems,
and alternative solutions from more than a single perspective.
III. Prerequisite Text
De Vaus, D. A. 1995. Surveys in Social Research, 4th edition, UCL Press,
Taylor and Francis. (Translated By Naebi).
Quivy, Raymond e Luc van e Van Campenhoudt. 1988. Manual de
Investigação em Ciências Sociais. Lisboa: Gradiva.( Translated By
Nikgohar).
IV. Required book
Hatch, Mary Jo. 2006. Organization Theory. Oxford University Press.
Seale, Clive; Gobo, Giampietro; Gubrium, Jaber F. Silverman, David (Eds.) .
2004. Qualitative Research Practice, Sage Publications.
Required Articles
ی آگزی
ی سی ی ی
ی.‏
برای توسعھ کیفی
پژوھشگاه علوم انسانی و مطالعات فرھنگی و دانشگاه صنعتی شریف.‏
ی
ی
ی
.(١٣٨۶) .
Aronoff, Craig. 1975. “The rise of the behavioral perspective in selected
general management textbooks: an empirical investigation through
content analysis”. Academy of Management Journal; 18: 753-768
Bartunek, Jean M; Bobko, Philip; Venkatraman, N. 1993. “Toward
innovation and diversity in management research methods”. Academy of
Management Journal; 36(6): 1362-1373.

3 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
Carlile, Paul R. Christensen, Clayton M. 2005. The Cycles of Theory
Building in Management Research. ( 2008/11/30). Available online:
www.innosight.com/documents/Theory%20Building.pdf.
Carrero, Virginia; Peiró, José M.; Salanova, Marisa. 2000. “Studying
radical organizational innovation through grounded theory”. European
journal of work and organizational psychology; 9 (4): 489–514.
Chiswick. 2004. “Writing a research paper,” Current Pediatrics, 14: 513–
518
Cornelissen, J.P. 2006. “Making sense of theory construction: metaphor
and disciplined imagination”. Organization Studies, 27(11): 1579-1597.
Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. 1989. “Building theory from case study
Research”. Academy of Management Review; 14(4): 532-550.
Eisenhardt, Katheleen M. Graebener, Melissa E. 2007. “Theory building
from cases: opportunities and challenges”. Academy of Management
Journal. 50(1): 25–32.
Farmer, David J. 1997 ."Derrida, Deconstruction, And public
Administration”. American Behavioral Scientist, 41(1): 12-27.
Gioia Dennis A. Pitre, Evelyn. 1990. “Multiparadigm Perspectives on
Theory Building”. The Academy of Management Review, 15(4): 584-
602.
Gully, Stanley M. Incalcaterra, Kara A. Joshi, Aparna; Beaubien, J.
Matthew. 2002. “A Meta-Analysis of Team-Efficacy, Potency, and
Performance: Interdependence and Level of Analysis as Moderators of
Observed Relationships”. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(5): 819–
832.
Hatch, Mary Jo. 2006. What is organization theory? In Hatch, Mary Jo.
& Ann L. Cunliffe, (Eds), Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and
postmodern perspectives. Oxford Press.
Jex, Steve M. Bliese, Paul D. 1999. “Efficacy Beliefs as a Moderator of
the Impact of Work-Related Stressors: A Multilevel Study”, Journal of
Applied Psychology. 84(3): 349-361
Kilduff, Martin; Mehra, Ajay. 1997. "Postmodernism and organizational
research“. Academy of Management Review, 22(2): 453-481.
Klein, Katherine J. Dansereau Fred. Hall Rosalie J. 1994. “Levels issues
in theory development, data collection and analysis”. Academy of
Management Review. 19: 195-229.
Knights, David. 1992. “changing spaces: the disruptive impact of a new
epistemological location for the study of management”. Academy of
Management Review, 17(3): 514-536.
Maslow, A. H. 1943. "A theory of human motivation". Psychological
Review, 50: 370-396.

4 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
Mohrman, Susan Albers; Gibson, Cristina B; Mohrman, Allan M. 2001.
“Doing research that is useful to practice: A model and empirical
exploration”. Academy of Management Journal; 44(2):357-375.
Morgan, Gareth; Smircich, Linda. 1980. "The case for qualitative
research". Academy of Management Review; 5: 491-500.
Pandit, Naresh R. 1996. "The Creation of Theory: A Recent Application
of the Grounded Theory Method". The Qualitative Report, 2(4).
Pietarinen, Ahti-Veikko. 2006. “Interdisciplinarity and Peirce’s
classification of the Sciences: A Centennial Reassessment”. Perspectives
on Science, 14(2): 127-152.
Prasad, Pushkala. 1993. "Symbolic processes in the implementation of
technological change: A symbolic interactionist study of work
computerization". Academy of Management Journal, 36, 6: 1400-1429.
Scandura, Terri A; Williams, Ethlyn A. 2000. “Research methodology in
management: Current practices, trends, and implication for future
research”. Academy of Management Journal; 43, 6:1248-1264.
Serra, Jordi. 2008.” Proactive intelligence”. Futures 40: 664–673.
Simon, Herbert A. 1946. “The Proverbs of Administration”. Public
Administration Review, 6(1): 53-67.
Steffy, Brian D. Grimes, Andrew J. 1986. "A Critical Theory of
Organization Science". Academy of Management Review, 11(2): 322-
336.
Van de Ven, Andrew H. 1989. “Nothing Is Quite so Practical as a Good
Theory”. The Academy of Management Review, 14(4): 486-489.
Weick, Karl E. 1992. “Agenda Setting in Organizational Behavior: A
Theory-Focused Approach”. Journal of Management Inquiry; 1: 171-
182.
Whetten, David A. 1989. “What constitutes a theoretical contribution?”.
Academy of Management Review, 14(4): 490-495.
Yang, Baiyin .2002. "Meta-Analysis Research and Theory Building".
Advances in Developing Human Resources. 4(3): 296-316.
Brown, Andrew, D. Yiannis Gabriel & Silvia Gherardi .2009.
"Storytelling and Change An Unfolding Story", Organization, Volume
16(3): 323–333.
Beech, Nic , Stacy A. MacPhail & Christine Coupland .2009. "Antidialogic
Positioning in Change Stories", Organization, Volume 16(3):
323–333.
Driver, Michaela. 2009. "From Loss to Lack Stories of Organizational
Change", Organization, Volume 16(3): 323–333.
Sims, David, Chris Huxham & Nic Beech. 2009. "On Telling Stories But
Hearing Snippets Sense-taking", Organization, Volume 16(3): 323–333.

5 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
Pedersen, Anne Reff. 2009. "Moving Away from Chronological Time",
Organization, Volume 16(3): 323–333. ISSN 1350–5084.
Murgia , Annalisa & Barbara Poggio. 2009. "Challenging Hegemonic
Masculinities Men's Stories on Gender Culture", Organization, Volume
16(3): 323–333.
Whittle, Andrea, Frank Mueller & Anita Mangan. 2009. "Storytelling
and `Character' Victims, Villains and Heroes", Organization, Volume
16(3): 323–333.
Peirano-Vejo, Maria Elisa & Ralph E. Stablein. 2009. "Constituting
Change and Stability Sense-making Stories in a Farming Organization",
Organization, Volume 16(3): 323–333.
V. Optional Texts
Bryman, Alan & Emma Bell .2007. Business Research Methods. Second
edition. Oxford University Press.
Thietart, Raymond-Alain et al. 2001. Doing Management Research.
Translated by Samantha Wauchope. Sage Publications.
VI. Procedures and Expectations
1. We expect students to complete assigned readings on time and to come to
class prepared to discuss them. Participation in class discussions is
encouraged and expected. Students are encouraged to speak out in class to
ask questions and express ideas and opinions. Except under unusual
circumstances, assignment grades will be reduced if they are not handed
over on time. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date
indicated. Any assignment turned in after this time is considered late. Late
assignments will receive a 20 percent reduction in points awarded.
2. Classroom Etiquette: While we disagree with other’s ideas, we should
respect to them and appreciate our common bond of human dignity. In order
to have a positive and safe learning environment, we as a class will have to
agree to disagree at times. Some of us may have strong feelings and/or
reactions to class materials, readings, etc. Expressing these reactions is
encouraged as long as this is done in a respectful manner. Hostile and/or
disrespectful behavior is not allowed. In addition, we must be watchful to
not take up too much “airtime” and allow for everyone to share. Talking a
lot is generally not a good way of actively participating. Instead, carefully
listening to others and clearly and concisely expressing your ideas is the
best strategy. Remember to address each other when talking rather than
directing your comments to me unless they are solely intended for me.
3. Class attendance is required throughout the semester and on-time attendance
is considered mandatory. Coming to class late is a disruption to all members
of the class.

6 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
4. Communication: Please come and visit me during office hours. I am there
waiting for you to discuss readings, lecture, grading, exams, and classroom
behaviors. If you cannot come to scheduled office hours, please let me
know and I will work something else out. The best way to reach me is
through e-mail. I will communicate with the class through email. I expect
each of you to check email on a daily basis.
5. Academic Ethics: Dishonesty and cheating of any kind will NOT be
tolerated. Plagiarism is a particular form of dishonesty that presents the
work, ideas, or words of another without attribution as if they were your
own. It applies to various tasks, including assignments and papers. When
doing written work it is important to cite the original author when your
ideas have been developed in previously published work.
6. Students must TURN OFF cell phones and beepers while in class.
7. Students should not bring guests to class unless approved by the instructor.
8. Students should not disrupt class in any manner. Conversations during class
time among two or a few students, in contrast to the class as a whole, should
be kept to an absolute minimum because they are disruptive to the attention
of the class.
9. All assignments must be typed or generated by a word processor.
Handwritten assignments will NOT be accepted.
10.Exams will be in descriptive way. Material covered in the exams will come
from lectures, in-class discussions, and assigned readings. Every effort
should be made to attend class on exam day. If an emergency arises, a
make-up date may be established. Note that the content of make-up exam
will be substantially different than the content of the usual exam. Please be
careful there is Not any make-up for final exam.
11.The instructors reserve the right to amend and/or change class policies and
procedures.
12.The instructors shall strive to assign grades that are reasonable, accurate
reflections of student performance and fair to other students. The final grade
will be allocated between these assignments as follows:
Row Subject Date Point
1. Class assignment (Article review,
Every week
Quiz,)
before the class 4
2. Primary proposal 90/09/18 2
3. Compiling Final Research Proposal 90/11/30 3
4. Review Paper about a philosophical
school of methodology
90/10/02 2
5. Review Paper about a new
methodology
90/10/23 2
6. A Doctoral Thesis Review 90/10/30 2
7. Exam ------ 5
Total ------ 20

7 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
VII. Course Outline and Schedule
Weeks Main Topics Subtopics
Week 1:
90/07/10
Week 2:
90/07/17
Week 3:
90/07/24
Week 4:
90/08/01
Week 5:
90/08/08
Week 6:
90/08/15
Week 7:
90/08/22
Week 8:
90/08/29
Week 9:
90/09/06
Week 10:
90/09/13
Week 11:
90/09/20
Week 1:
90/09/27
Week 13:
90/10/04
Week 14:
90/10/11
Course Introduction
What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?
(Whetten)
Making Sense of Theory Construction:
Metaphor and Disciplined Imagination (Cornelissen)
Building Theories from Case Study
Research(Eisenhardt)
Nothing Is Quite So Practical as a Good Theory( Van
de Ven)
The Cycles of Theory Building to Management
Research (Carlile & Christensen)
Multiparadigm Perspectives on Theory Building
(Gioia&Piter)
Students' Subjects
What is organizational Theory (Hatch)
The proverbs of administration (H.A.
Simon)
A theory of human motivation (Maslow)
طراحی سیستم ھای آگزیوماتیزه سلسلھ مراتبی
برای توسعھ کیفی دانش در علوم انسانی
‏(پورعزت)‏
گذار از حصارھای شیشِھ ای روش شناختی؛ با
تأكید بر الزامات زبانشناختي علوم میان
رشتھ اي ‏(پورعزت)‏
Storytelling - Deconstruction analysis
Storytelling - Grand narrative analysis
Agenda Setting in Organizational Behavior: A Theory-Storytelling - Microstoria analysis
Focused Approach(Weick)
Theory building from cases: opportunities and Storytelling - Story network analysis
challenges (Eisenhardt & Graebner)
Storytelling - Intertextuality analysis
Meta-Analysis research and Theory Building (Yang)
Research methodology in management: Current
practices, trends, and implication for future
research(Scandura, Williams)
The Creation of Theory: A Recent Application of
Grounded Theory Method(Pandit)
A Meta-Analysis of Team-Efficacy, Potency, and
Performance: Interdependence and Level of Analysis
as Moderators of Observed Relationships. (Gully,
Incalcaterra, Joshi, Beaubien)
The Case for Qualitative Research
( Morgan & Smircich)
Storytelling - Causality analysis
Storytelling - Plot analysis
Storytelling - Theme analysis
The rise of the behavioral perspective in
selected general management textbooks:
an empirical investigation through content
analysis (Aronoff)
Week 15:
90/10/18
Week 16:
90/10/25
Writing a research paper (Chiswick)
Discussion and Conclusion
Studying radical organizational
innovation through grounded
theory(Carrero, Peiró, Salanova)
Postmodernisim and Organizational
Research(Kilduff&Mehra)

8 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
VIII. Guidelines for Papers
Topics: The paper topics should be drawn from any of the organizational behavior
research areas lectured on in the class. You may also choose an organizational
behavior issue that has not been directly addressed in class, but it should be related to
issues that had been discussed and analyzed. The paper may be presented in class.
Papers: Write-ups should be about 20 to 40 pages long (Microsoft Word, Singlespaced,
Font: Zar, Font Size:14, Line Spacing: Single, one inch margins). A good
write-up would describe the issue, analyze the problems faced, and discuss previous
proposals that have been made. Justify your conclusions and clearly discuss your
recommendation(s). Succinctness will be rewarded. The papers will be due on exam
day.
IX. Citation Style for Papers
Embed the reference in the text with the form (author last name, year : page) .".."
(Scott,2005:23).
If the same author has more than one reference in a given year append a letter -
a,b,c, - to the year. (Scott, 2005a; Scott, 2005b).
You need a bibliography at the end of the paper that gives the full citation for each
reference. The bibliography should be alphabetical by author last name. It takes the
form:
For a journal article:
Author last name, first name .year. "Article Title," Journal Name. Vol. No. Pages.
Example:
Pourezzat, Ali Asghar; Mollaee, Abdolazim, Firouzabad, Morteza. 2008. “Building
the future: Undertaking proactive strategy for national outlook,” Futures, 40: 887-
892.
For a book:
Author last name, first name .year. Book Title .Publishing City: Publisher.
Example:
Hatch, Mary Jo. 2006. Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and
postmodern perspectives. Oxford.
For material in an edited book:
Author last name, first name .year of edited book publication. "Chapter Title," In
Author(s) of edited volume, ed. Title of Book. Publishing City: Publisher. Pages.
Example:
Scott, Richard W .1991. "Institutions," In Powell, W.W. & P.J. DiMaggio, The
New Institutionalism in Organizational Analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press. 97 – 111.

9 Methodology and Research in Organizational Behavior
Ali Asghar Pourezzat , University of Tehran, Ph.D Course.
X. Suggested Topics for Research Papers:
Narrative approach to OT, Storytelling Organization, Language of Organization, Social
Construction of Reality, Enactment Theory, Bureaucracy, Adhocracy, professional Bureaucracy,
professional Adhocracy, Lingocracy, Wisocracy, Language in Organization and Government, Cross-
Cultural Management, Diversity, Dysfunctions of Social Systems, Power and Politics in
Organizations, Conflicts in Organizations, Culture and Leadership, Culture and Public Sphere,
Ethical Issues in Organizations, Social and Political Psychology, Conceptualizing Culture, The Life
Cycle of Organizations, Socio-Technical Systems, Integrating People and Social Systems, Feminism
and Organizations, Depicting of Future, Sociology Of Organizations, Psychology of Organizations,
Organizations and Professionalism, Organizations and Social Justice, Organizations and
Employment Equal Opportunity
XI. Suggested Journals for Papers:
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT REVIEW
ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIETY
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE QUARTERLY
AMERICAN REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
BEHAVIOR AND PHILOSOPHY
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
BEHAVIOR THERAPY
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
BRITISH JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW
BUSINESS ETHICS QUARTERLY
BUSINESS HISTORY
BUSINESS HISTORY REVIEW
BUSINESS HORIZONS
CALIFORNIA MANAGEMENT REVIEW
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES
CANADIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
CLINICAL LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT REVIEW
COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND PEACE SCIENCE
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION QUARTERLY
ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR
GENDER WORK AND ORGANIZATION
GROUP & ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
HUMAN ORGANIZATION
HUMAN RELATIONS
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
HUMAN SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS
JOURNAL OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR AL SCIENCE
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIOR THERAPY AND EXPERIMENTAL
PSYCHIATRY
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS AND PSYCHOLOGY
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT IN ENGINEERING
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT INQUIRY
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
JOURNAL OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
JOURNAL OF MARKETING RESEARCH
JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND THEORY
JOURNAL OF SPORT MANAGEMENT
JOURNAL OF STRATEGIC STUDIES
JOURNAL OF VOCATIONAL BEHAVIOR
LEADERSHIP QUARTERLY
MANAGEMENT LEARNING
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
MIT SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW
ORGANIZATION STUDIES
ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN DECISION PROCESSES
ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS
PERSONNEL JOURNAL
PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN
PSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING
PSYCHOLOGY PUBLIC POLICY AND LAW
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
PUBLIC PERSONNEL REVIEW
RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
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