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Name: Rodica Aliman MA TESOL Research Dissertation Title of Dissertation:

Rhetorical analysis of introductions and literature reviews of Management
research articles written by Chi...

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19329.68963

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Name: Rodica Aliman
MA TESOL Research Dissertation
Title of Dissertation: Rhetorical analysis of introductions and
literature reviews of Management research articles written by
Chinese scholars

Contents
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgements.................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Literature Review ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Method ............................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Method overview ......................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Data collection.............................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Analytical framework ................................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1 Preliminary analysis for developing an analytical framework .......................................... 11
3.3.2 Pilot analysis......................................................................................................................... 16
3.3.3 Final analysis ....................................................................................................................... 16
4. Findings and Discussion ................................................................................................................... 18
4.1. General findings ........................................................................................................................ 19
4.1.1. Literature reviews (LRs) findings ....................................................................................... 19
4.1.2. Introductions (Is) findings .................................................................................................. 19
4.2 Moves ......................................................................................................................................... 21
4.2.1. LRs Move 1, Establishing the territory .............................................................................. 22
4.2.3. LRs Move 3 Occupying the niche ....................................................................................... 36
4.3. Final discussion.......................................................................................................................... 41
5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 42
References ............................................................................................................................................ 43
Appendix 1 Samples coded documents............................................................................................... 50
Appendix 2 Method.............................................................................................................................. 56

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 Appendix 2 A Tables ......................................................................................................................... 56
Appendix 2B Figures ............................................................................................................... 59
Appendix 3 Results and discussion ............................................................................................. 65

Abstract

This research project is an analysis of the rhetorical organisation of literature review sections and
introductions in 15 Management articles written by established scholars form mainland Chinese
universities. The research comprises three main parts: developing analytical frameworks for the
study of literature review sections and introductions in Management research articles, the rhetorical
analysis of the literature review sections and introductions, and the comparison between the results
of the two above-mentioned analyses. The choice of topic is motivated by the growing importance
of the literature review sections in research articles and by the scarcity of studies in this field. Also,
few studies have analysed the literature review sections and introductions to discover the influences
they have on each other’s rhetorical organisation.

The introduction presents the context in which the above-mentioned articles were written and
examines possible factors that influence their production.

The next section in this study is the literature review section, which is divided into three main
themes: review of knowledge about genre analysis, the analysis of introductions and the
development of the CARS model, and finally the current state in the analysis of literature review
sections.

The method used is mainly qualitative, but a quantitative analysis was instrumental in identifying
patterns of lexical items and verify the reliability of the qualitative analysis. The analytical framework
is derived from three models: CARS (Swales, 1990), Bunton (2002), and Kwan (2006).

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The findings show that the introductions tend to follow the canonical M1 – M2 – M3 pattern,
although with a certain degree of cyclicity, while the literature review sections consist mainly in M2
and M3. The research also discovered that the two sections are complementary, but different in
terms of structure and rhetorical organisation, with the literature review essentially playing the role
of developing concepts and theoretical frameworks, and elaborately establishing a niche.

The conclusion suggests potential benefits of the analytical framework developed for the literature
review sections and it details its limitations. Also, some comments are made about how the findings
of the current research might be useful in TESOL.

1. Introduction
This section is introducing the context in which the articles chosen for the current research were
written, my personal interest in the topic, and the research questions.

Globalisation has facilitated the communication among disciplinary discourse communities

worldwide, consequently affecting not only the way the knowledge is transmitted but also the way it
is constructed (Lyotard, 1979; Perez-Llantada, 2015). As the common language for disseminating
research is English (Ferguson, 2009; Lillis and Curry, 2010; Swales, 1990), the Anglo – American
academic writing norms have facilitated the scholars’ access to international recognition. For
instance, Hamel (2007) showed that more than 80% of internationally-published research articles
are in English, and, as high-ranking journals have strict guidelines (Belcher, 2007; Flowerdew, 2001),
the competition has greatly increased (Hyland, 2016; McGrath, 2014). Yet, having their work
published in reputable international journals is important not only for the scholars, but also for their
organisations and discourse communities (Cargill & O’Connor, 2006).

China is also affected by this situation, as it is shown by the considerable increase in the submission
rate in recent years (Hyland, 2016). For example, during the period 2005 – 2006, the submission rate
of research papers from China via ScholarOne system rose by 484% (Hyland, 2016), while in 2014
they amounted to 263,500 in Science Citation Index (SCI), representing 14.9 globally (Hyland, 2016).
Tian, Su and Ru (2016) argue that this progress is a consequence of the Chinese authorities’ view
that the proliferation of research is a main driver of economic development and competitivity on
international markets, which resulted in massive investment in research funding and in the attempt
of several Chinese universities to achieve high international status (Hyland, 2016; Tian et al., 2016).
As a result, many Chinese universities require the academics to have their papers published in
journals listed on Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index, situation that gave rise to
the “so-called publish-or-perish academic culture” (Tian et al., 2016, p.1), meaning the scholars’
careers depend on the number of papers published in the above-mentioned journals, although there
are many incentives to counterbalance. While this tendency has been documented in other
academic communities as well, such in Sweden (Alvesson & Sandberg, 2013), UK (Harley & Lee,
1997), the USA (Bouchikhi & Kimberley, 2001), in Asian countries, where Kwan (2010, p. 55) named
it “carrot or stick” policy, in some areas the pressure might be higher (Cargill & O’Connor, 2006) due

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to local and disciplinary factors, as it is the case of Chinese business scholars. Following China’s
policy to fill the “innovation gap” (Zhou, Xu & Su, 2011, p. 278) by which is understood
commercialising research, scholars from Chinese universities are required to participate in
“university entrepreneurship”, i.e. contract research and university spin-offs. Along disciplinary
norms and local factors, the commercial aspect of the research and the high competition might
affect the rhetorical organisation of the research articles.

My personal interest in this topic is related to the fact that I teach English for Academic purposes to
Business and Management postgraduate students on pre-sessional courses and I believe this
research will help me gain deeper knowledge into the topic, knowledge that could be used in the
teaching process. Also, I intend to specialise in teaching English for Specific Academic Purposes in
Business and Management.

This study aims to analyse the ways in which established business Chinese scholars organise the
literature review sections of their research articles and how the presence of this section affects the
introductions and it will attempt to answer the following research questions:

What is the rhetorical organisation of literature review sections in Management research articles
written by established Chinese scholars from mainland Chinese universities?

What connections can be established between the rhetorical organisations of literature reviews and
introductions of Management research articles written by established Chinese scholars from
mainland Chinese universities?

2. Literature Review
This section is presenting an overview of genre analysis, discussing the importance of research
article as the most widespread academic genre, and reviewing previous knowledge related to
introductions and literature review sections of research articles.

Having been initially limited to literary texts, genre has gradually become a non-literary construct
(Shehzad and Abbas, 2015), attracting the attention of many scholars (Bhatia, 1993; Bazerman,
1988; Devitt, 2004; Freedman & Medway, 1994; Hyland, 2004; Hyon, 1996; Miller, 2009; Swales,
2004) since 70s – 80s when it was the object of intense debate and numerous conferences, which
determined Hyon (1996) to attempt a synthesis of views in the area, identifying 3 main currents:
ESP, New Rhetoric and Australian systemic functional approach.

In the ESP tradition, genre is regarded as a tool for the analysis of text produced by academics
whose first language is not English, serving mainly pedagogical purposes (Bhatia, 1993; Flowerdew,
1993; Hopkins & Dudley – Evans, 1988; Hyon, 1996; Swales, 1990). This tradition, shaped by Swales’
seminal work (Flowerdew, 2005), takes into account both structural features and communicative
aims required by the social context (Hyon, 1996), being initially used to analyse research article
introductions (Flowerdew, 2005). Swales (1990, p. 58), described genre a “class of communicative
events” performing functions that settled members of a specific academic community are likely to
recognize and shaping “the schematic structure of the discourse and influences and constrains
choice of content and style”.

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New Rhetoric school, represented by academics from North America teaching various disciplines in
English, gave prominence to the context in which various genre occur and to their social dimension
(Hyon, 1996), which entailed using ethnographic studies for text analysis, i.e. lengthy descriptions of
the situation – related roles and functions of academic and professional genres (Hyon, 1996;
Bazerman, 1998; Hyland, 2004).

Influenced by Prague school of thought in which text analysis “aimed to identify the relationship
between language form, function, and context” (Paltridge, 1997, p. 7), Australian Genre Theories
tradition developed mainly separately from ESP and New Rhetoric, and is based on systemic
functional linguistic theory (Hyon, 1996), “a social semiotic approach to language” (Teruya, Lam &
Matthiessen, 2010) in which meaning is created based on a system of interconnected options
(McArthur, Lam-McArthur & Fontaine, 2018), created and improved by Michael A. K. Halliday and
other scholars since the 1960s.

Despite their differences, the views of genres are rather convergent, according to Swales (2004, p.
5), who identified several common trends: balancing what is imposed by academic norms and what
writers are allowed to choose, influence of context to account for certain cultural features of genres,
the acceptance of the constantly transforming nature of “genre and genre sets”, and, finally, more
complex view of ways to acquire and raise awareness of genre.

One of the central aspects of genre analysis is that it provides pedagogical resources for helping
speakers of other languages to organise their writing and improve their academic style in English
(Bhatia, 2008; Hyon, 1996; Negretti & McGrath, 2018; Salager – Meyer, 1994; Swales, 1990a;).

Among the academic genres, the research article is the most significant, as it ensures the fastest
knowledge dissemination and interaction with members of the discourse community (Adika, 2014;
Safnil 2018; Swales & Feak, 2004). The research article and its rhetorical organisation have been
extensively investigated in the recent years (Kuteeva & McGrath, 2015; van Enk & Power, 2017),
with numerous studies focusing on the introductions (Anthony, 1999; Árvay & Tankó, 2004; Del Saz-
Rubio, 2011; Fakhri, 2004; Feak & Swales, 2011; Hirano, 2009; Kanoksilapatham, 2012; Loi & Evans,
2010; Ozturk, 2007; Samraj, 2002, 2005; Sheldon, 2011; Swales & Najjar, 1987; Yayli & Canagarajah,
2014), especially after Swales (1981, 1990) published Create a Research Space (CARS; see Appendix
2B, figure 1) model used as an analytical framework in numerous works (Hirano, 2009; Kuteeva &
McGrath, 2012). Yet, alterations were proposed on the grounds that the model did not account for
some disciplinary variations. For instance, Anthony (1999) discovered that software engineering
research article introductions often include passages stating the value of the current research and
consequently proposed a new step, evaluation of research; he also pointed out to the lack of a step
for defining terms. Samraj (2002) also advocated the introduction of a step for creating a niche using
positive strategies and the division of gap statements into real – world and research – world,
dichotomy she identified in Conservation and Wildlife Behaviour articles. Another adjustment was
made by Árvay and Tankó (2004), who introduced two new steps for the theoretical research articles
introductions. Following the suggestions received from the scholars using the model, Swales (2004)
published a new version preserving the move structure but with alterations made to the steps.

Furthermore, there is an abundance of studies related to the introductions of research articles,

which might be related to the role it plays: to briefly introduce the authors’ argument in a
comprehensible manner and to persuade the audience to continue reading (Safnil, 2018; Swales,
1990; Swales & Feak, 1994). Yet, as the research article is not a “fixed form” (van Enk, 2017, p. 1) but
a “relatively stable” genre (Bakhtin, 1986, p. 60), the canonical IMRD structure in empirical research
articles is often including a literature review section between the introduction and the method

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(Kwan, Cham & Lan, 2012; Lin, 2014). A study conducted by Lin and Evans (2012) on 780 applied
sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities research articles from 2017 revealed that
more than 50% contained a literature review section. Kwan et al.’s study (2012) found even a high
percentage, i.e. 80%, in information system articles from 4 reputable journals.

However, in many academic writing guides the introduction and literature review sections are
discussed together, the underlying reason being that their functions are analogous or overlap to a
certain extent (Kwan, 2006; Khoo, Na & Jaidka, 2011). Moreover, all research papers contain a
literature review, either incorporated in the introduction, or as a separate section, performing
several functions: identify sources for the conducted research (Kwan et al., 2012; Rowley & Slack,
2004), compare and contrast the contributions brought by other theoreticians or practitioners to the
field of study (Bourner, 1996; Cooper, 1998; Hart, 1998; Kwan et al., 2012), identify gaps in the
literature (Lin, 2014; Lin & Evans, 2012; Khoo et al., 2011), make a distinction between
accomplishments in the field and needs for further exploration (Boote & Beile, 2005), demonstrate
the value of the proposed research and justify it (Kwan, 2006; Khoo et al., 2011), create a theoretical
foundation for the current study (Lin, 2014; Tseng, 2018), show currents of thought and research
trends the authors’ work draws from (Khoo et al., 2011; Kwan et al, 2012) in order to establish their
credibility and facilitate participation to the academic dialogue pertaining to their field (Kwan, 2006),
and reinterpret the findings by presenting the topic from new perspectives to create the basis for
further inquiry (Boote & Beile, 2005; Kwan et al., 2012; Torraco, 2005).

The above list presents the manifold support the literature review provides for research studies
(Khoo et al., 2011), and it is expected that its functional purposes will be noticeable in its rhetorical
organisation and linguistic articulation (Kwan et al., 2012).

As far as its structure is concerned, the literature review section in research articles resembles to
some extent the organisation of the same section in other academic genres, especially MA and PhD
theses. Cooper (1988) divides the literature review into 3 main parts: introduction, which includes
the research questions the authors want to answer; body, which can display 3 organisational
patterns: chronological, presenting the development of ideas and theories, thematic, identifying the
themes and scope common to research groups existent in the field, and methodological, identifying
the categories of research methods employed in the area; conclusion, comprising a critical analysis
of previous research, meant to identify shortcomings or gaps in previous research in order to justify
the current research. As above-mentioned, this structure appears to apply more to literature
reviews as sections of longer papers, such as master’s and doctoral theses, and less to those of
research articles. In fact, the most important research about the rhetorical organisation of literature
reviews focused on theses, as Kwan’s (2006) study that used as point of reference Bunton’s (2002)
model, developed for the analysis of theses introductions. Using CARS 1990 model, Bunton (2002)
investigated the moves and steps organisation in 45 doctoral thesis introductions written both by
first and second language speakers of English. Although the introductions in his study generally
displayed the CARS structure, there were segments that were not accounted for, which led to the
introduction of new steps (see Appendix 2B, figure 2). Kwan (2006) analysed the rhetorical structure
of literature reviews in 20 Applied linguistics PhD theses written by authors whose first language is
English, and created an analytical framework (see Appendix 2B, figure 3) that synthesises and
restructures all previous knowledge existent in the field, taking into account the disciplinary
conventions as well. The model that she entitled “the theme-bound CARS model” (Kwan, 2006, p.
52) is a useful tool for the analysis of literature review sections with a thematic organisation (1988),
which is the main type encountered in theses. Yet, Tseng (2018) found that the literature review
sections of research articles of linguistic journals also displayed a thematic organisation and used

6
Kwan’s model as the basis for creating an analytical tool, entitled Creating a Theoretical Framework
(CTF), whose focal point is the concepts or theories in the literature review, unlike niche-creating in
CARS and subsequent models. Tseng (2018) claims that the CTF model offers an alternative to CARS
model, although he acknowledges the promotional character of the literature review, which is
achieved to a great extent by identifying a niche in the field of research (Swales, 1990; Lindenberg,
2004). The absence of gap-statements, on which Tseng’s model appears to be based, might be
caused by cultural or disciplinary factors, such as the lack of competition for research space (Ahmad,
1997; Fredrickson & Swales, 1994; Samraj, 2002) or, in certain cultural contexts, avoidance of
causing other authors to lose face (Anthony, 1999; Loi & Evans, 2010; Safnil, 2013; Samraj, 2002), so
further investigation may be needed to verify the applicability of the model in various disciplines and
cultural settings.

Finally, the dearth in research about the literature review section in research articles might be
explained to a certain extent by its recency, i.e. because “the enduring influence of the canonical
IMRD model in both EAP research and pedagogy” (Lin, 2014, p. 406) and by its partially similar-to-
introductions functions. Yet, Kwan (2006), following the identification of new rhetorical functions in
the literature reviews of theses in her study, concluded that literature review section is a distinct
genre. Still, the extent of the similarities between the introductions and literature review sections
(Kwan, 2006) might be an indication that they are two agnates of the same genre (Lewin, Fine &
Young, 2001), namely “academic research introductions” (Kwan, 2006, p. 52). It could be inferred
that, if used together in a research article, these two sections might influence each other rhetorical
organisation and functions (Lin, 2014), so the analysis of the literature review sections in research
articles might yield more comprehensive results if performed in conjunction with the analysis of
introductions.

3. Method
The section that follows describes the method used in this study, explains how data was collected
and then details the stages of developing the analytical frameworks: preliminary, pilot, and final
analysis.

3.1 Method overview

The current study uses a mixed method approach, deemed as the most suitable for the research
questions it attempts to answer (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2010; Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Mixed
method approach is defined as “the class of research where the researchers mixes or combines
quantitative and qualitative research techniques, methods, approaches, concepts or language in a
single study” (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004, p. 17) and, according to a survey conducted by
Bryman on 232 articles in the field of social sciences (2006, pp. 105 - 107) researchers use this
approach for its many advantages, among which the most relevant for the current study are: offset,
referring to reducing deficiencies in both qualitative and quantitative methods by combining them;
completeness, meaning that the area of investigation can be more thoroughly analysed if both
methods are used; explanation, referring to one approach being used to provide explanations about
the findings of the other; confirm and discover, entailing hypothesis generating with the qualitative
method and testing them with the quantitative one. Johnson and Onwuegbuzie (2004, p. 18) also
assert that, in order to make efficient use of a mixed method approach, the most salient traits of

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qualitative and quantitative research should be taken into consideration: “induction, discovery,
exploration, theory/hypothesis generation, the researcher as the primary ‘instrument’ for data
collection” for the former, and “focus on deduction, confirmation, theory/hypothesis testing,
explanation, prediction, standardized data collection and statistical analysis” for the latter. Despite
extensive research in the area and attempts at producing a generally accepted typology for mixed
methods models, a consensus has not been reached yet (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003; Bryman, 2006;
Nastasi, Hitchock & Brown, 2010). For the current study, qualitative and quantitative data is
collected and analysed simultaneously and one set of data, i.e. the qualitative one is given
prominence, quantitative data enabling the researcher to make comparisons and check coding
validity.

The current study aims to create analytical frameworks for the rhetorical analysis for the literature
reviews and introductions in research articles. For this purpose, two separate sets of data were
created, Introductions and Literature reviews of 15 research articles, by converting the Pdf
documents to Word documents and deleting all the tables and captions. This number of articles was
selected to ensure an in-depth qualitative analysis. The two sets of data were imported in MAXQDA
in two separate projects, for coding and analysis. The memoing, coding, the quantitative analysis and
lexical search to aid the qualitative analysis were performed in MAXQDA. Wordsmith 6.0 was used
for key word lists, and concordances.

The linguistic analysis focused on:

Stance and engagement markers

Stance: hedges, boosters, 3. Attitude markers. 4. Self-mentions.

Engagement: appeals to shared knowledge (Hyland, 2005, p.177); for a more detailed analysis of this
feature, Lindenberg’s (2004) classification of appeals (see Appendix 3, table 7) was used as well for it
was created to analyse business and management articles, similar to the present study.

Discourse markers, to identify the Move/Steps boundaries and to better understand the proposional
content;

Metadiscoursive nouns, which facilitated a better understanding of the organisation of the text;

Citation practices, following Thomson and Tribble’s (2001, pp. 95 - 96) classification: non-integral
(Identification, Reference, and Origin) and integral citations (Verb-controlling, Naming, and Non-
citation).

The stance and engagement markers are instrumental in the analysis of opinion exchanges between
the writers and the readers, positioning the former within their discourse community (Bakhtin, 1986;
Hyland, 2005; Kuteeva & McGrath, 2015).

Used for giving credit to cited scholars for their work (Hyland, 2002), citations can be regarded as a
“significant rhetorical choice” (Hyland, 2002b, p. 115), indicating the authors’ stance towards the
propositional content and acting in this way as a persuasion means (Hyland, 1999).

The lexical analysis was first performed manually, for the following reasons. First, it took place
during coding the Moves and Steps to aid the process. Second, stance and engagement features do
not appear in isolation, but rather in associations in a passage to fulfil the role of persuading the
reader (Hyland, 2005; Lindenberg, 2004); some items are “inherently evaluative” (Lindenberg, 2004,
p. 60), while others acquire this characteristic from the context of use (Hunston, 1989). Lindenberg
(2004, p. 60), also argues that evaluation is realised via both syntactic and linguistic means, such as

8
verbs that do not necessarily have an evaluative character, but gain it in context, accompanied by
nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

The qualitative lexical analysis was followed by a quantitative one, meant to reveal the frequency of
the items and help pattern identification.

3.2 Data collection

The current study analyses the rhetorical organisation of 15 Management Research Article
introductions and literature reviews written by established Chinese authors from mainland Chinese
universities. The articles were chosen from the same field to ensure consistency, as the rhetorical
organisation of research articles varies across disciplines (Hyland, 2000; Kuteeva & Negretti, 2016;
Samraj, 2002) and by writers that share the same mother tongue and are members of the same
discourse community, to avoid cultural variations (Sheldon, 2011; Connor, 2002). The authors’
biographies are published in the journal, which was helpful in verifying their mother tongue and
belonging to the same discourse community.

All of research articles are written in English and published in Chinese Management Studies
magazine in 2018-2019 and are in the public domain. The journal accepts contributions mainly from
Chinese but also from foreign scholars and it is abstracted and indexed by: Cabell's Directory of
Publishing Opportunities in Management & Marketing; Electronic Collections Online; Journal Citation
Reports / Social Sciences Edition; Inspec; Social Sciences Citation Index SSCI (Clarivate Analytics) ®;
Zetoc (British Library). This journal, unlike as Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies and
China Economic Journal, published by Taylor & Francis Group, does not alter or edit the manuscripts
and focuses on research produced inside China. The journal has a guidelines section (Árvay & Tankó,
2004) asking the writers to use headings and to state what type of paper they are submitting. For
this study, only research articles were selected, the type os paper being written on the first page.

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Fig. 3.1 research article % sections coverage

All the selected articles respect the ILrMRD (Kwan, 2006) structure (see Appendix 2A, table 1) ,
although the sections appear under various headings and some of them, such the Results and
Discussion are merged, or there are separate sections for Conclusions and Limitations of the study.
The generic term Literature Review is employed for the section between the Introduction and
Method, which is divided into thematic units (see Appendix 2A, table2). All the 15 articles in the
corpus contain a total of 106 342 words, including headings and sub-headings but not tables and
figures (see Appendix 2A, table 3) from which 30% (31902 words) is occupied by the sections
generically labelled Literature Review, while the Introduction sections represent 12% (12761 words)
from the articles corpus (see figure 3.1).

3.3 Analytical framework

The current study draws on three models for the creation of an analytical framework: Swales’ (1990)
CARS, Bunton’s (2002), and Kwan’s (2006) models. In his seminal work, Swales (1990) postulates that
introductions serve to create a space research for the study at hand by identifying a niche in
previous research. As a result, the introductions comprise three moves: Establishing a territory,
Establishing the niche, and Occupying the niche (see Appendix 2B, figure 1). Swales created Move
analysis as a method for text analysis in 1981 and later (1990) incorporated it as a fundamental
element of his framework for genre analysis (Moreno & Swales, 2018). His framework consists of
moves, i.e. “discoursal or rhetorical units performing coherent communicative functions in texts”
(Swales, 2004, pp. 228 – 229), i.e. a move is “a functional, not a formal unit” (Swales, 2004, p. 229),

10
so a top-down approach was used in the current study for textual boundaries identification (Del Saz
Rubio, 2011; Vázquez-Orta, 2010). Each move comprises several steps whose combination leads to
the move realisation (Biber, Connor & Upton, 2007, p. 24). In other words, a step has “a local
purpose” that helps achieve the rhetorical purpose of the move, and a move helps achieve the
rhetorical purpose of the text (Kwan, 2006, p.36). A segment of the text – paragraph, sentence or
clause - can be labelled as a move or step in CARS and other models derived from it only if there is “a
distinct and identifiable communicative purpose or function” attached to it (Safnil, 2013). The main
difference between moves and steps is that the former analyses the text in terms of more general
objectives, such as establishing a territory, while the latter presents more specific aims, such as
narrowing the field or indicating a gap (Moreno & Swales, 2018, p. 40). Some researchers, such as
Lin (2014) and Stoller & Robinson (2013) preferred the term sub-move to step, or strategy, such as
Kwan (2006) and Bhatia (1993, 2001), based on the assertion that sub-move is a more inclusive term
(Lin, 2014), as step seems to suggest a fixed sequence while strategy is quite the opposite. As CARS
model presents the steps as possible alternatives by using the conjunction or, the term step does not
appear to have a connotation of obligation or to impose a certain structure, and, as a result, it will be
used in this study.

The current research uses as references Swales’ (1990), Bunton’s (2002) and Kwan’s (2006) models
(see Appendix 2B, figures 1, 2 and 3) to design an approach suitable for the study of LRs in the given
corpus in order to explore all possibilities and avoid prematurely committing to prescribed
categories but at the same time to have a certain degree of guidance (Richards, 2003).

Also, Swales’ (1990) CARS model was adapted to accommodate the characteristics of the rhetorical
organisation of the introductions in this study. The analysis was performed in the following steps:
preliminary, pilot, and final analysis.

3.3.1 Preliminary analysis for developing an analytical framework

There were 2 aspects that needed clarification before designing the analytical approach: first, the
most suitable approach, top-down or bottom-up; second, the most suitable starting point for the
analysis: Move or Step (Moreno & Swales, 2018).

First, a number of scholars (Tanko, 2017; Del Saz Rubio, 2011; Kwan, 2006; Vázquez-Orta, 2010;
Connor & Mauranen, 1999) adopted a top-down approach starting the analysis with the “rhetorical
objectives of the texts” (Connor & Mauranen, 1999, p. 51), basing the further division on linguistic
clues and propositional content (Ye, 2019; Lin, 2014; Del Saz Rubio, 2011; Kanoksilapatham, 2003;
Connor & Mauranen, 1999), approach used in the current study as well, since the rhetorical
functions of Moves and Steps serve to achieve the higher aims of the text itself.

Second, the results of several studies (Amnuai & Wannaruk, 2013; Cotos, Huffman & Link, 2015;
Yang & Allison, 2003) suggest that the analysis should start with the Step and this approach is
adopted in this study as well, because the Moves do not have a homogeneous organisation and do
not necessarily appear in a fixed sequence, i.e. the Steps for all three Moves might alternate.

Having clarified these aspects, the next step was to create a framework for the current analysis; ten
articles were selected at random and first read carefully for familiarity with the content. The
introductions and literature reviews were analysed separately. First, the Moves and the Steps were
coded in MAXQDA, using memoes as well, the coded being aided by lexical search and citations
practices.

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3.3.1.1. Preliminary analysis of introductions
Preliminary analysis of the introductions revealed that they are all gap-focused type, as described by
Feak and Swales (2011) and their main rhetorical functions serve to create a research space for the
study at hand. First, the segments were coded using Swales’ (1990) CARS model, but there were
some difficulties related to references to previous research in Move 1, and ways to identify a gap in
research in Move 2. The same issues were also encountered in LRs coding (see discussion below).
The preliminary analysis revealed segments that did not display rhetorical functions described in the
CARS model, so Steps from Kwan (2006) model were introduced. At a month distance, a pilot
analysis was conducted on ten randomly chosen articles and the analytical framework was finalised
(see Appendix 2B, figure 4). Finally, the analysis was conducted on all 15 introductions.

3.3.1.2. Preliminary analysis of literature reviews

The first step was identifying the boundaries of the thematic units in each literature review section
(Kwan, 2006), based on meta-signals such as numbering and headings.

Similar to previous research (Connor & Mauranen, 1999; Safnil, 2013; Kanoksilapatham, 2003; Del
Saz Rubio, 2011; Tẚnko, 2017), labelling steps and moves in the initial coding took into account both
rhetorical functions and linguistic aspects: self-mentions, cohesive markers, reporting verbs,
hedging, boosters, attitude markers, and citations, i.e. a “functional-semantic” approach (Kwan,
2006, p.36), since linguistic criteria alone are not sufficient for identifying the rhetorical purpose of a
stretch of text and its boundaries (Bhatia, 1993).

Also, overall organisation of the text or “division devices” (Connor & Mauranen, 1999, p. 52), such
as numbering, sub-heading and layout features indicating paragraph boundaries, supplied clear clues
for a preliminary Moves/Steps identification. The changes in topic or the shifts in the communicative
function were considered boundaries between units even if it appeared in the middle of the
sentence (Tanko, 2017; Safnil, 2013). As a result, the clause was chosen as the smallest unit of
analysis.

The steps were labelled using all three models, as an attempt to find the Step that best matched the
rhetorical purpose of that particular stretch of language and memos were written explaining the
choice and eventual ambiguities. If the rhetorical function was found in more than one model, the
step was double or triple labelled. When the segment did not seem to display any of the rhetorical
functions in the 3 models, explanations were given regarding the function and the similarities and
differences with existing models and finally a new label was proposed. For the preliminary analytical
framework, see appendix 2B, figure 5. The steps in italics were introduced by the author.

3.3.1.3. Results of the preliminary analysis of literature reviews

Labelling segments that review previous literature in the field
Labelling the passages that review previous literature in the field proved problematic. According to
Samraj (2002, p. 7), these references can fulfil multiple functions, such as “to provide support for
topic generalizations or centrality claims […] or to justify the gap created”. Moreover, they can be
present in all three moves, but with different rhetorical functions. Studies conducted by Crookes
(1986) and Hopkins and Dudley-Evans (1988) revealed that the rhetorical moves in research articles
introductions display a cyclical pattern in which references to previous research precede M2. In
Samraj’s (2002) study instead, these instances appear embedded in steps pertaining to M2 with the
function of strengthening the claim. As they perform a subsidiary function to a Step in M2, Samraj

12
(2002) suggested these segments reviewing previous research inside Move 2 Establishing a niche
should be considered as a component of the Step indicating the gap.

In the current study, it was also difficult to distinguish between M1S2 Making topic generalizations
and giving background information and M1S4 Reviewing previous research, two Steps that contain
numerous references to previous research. Samraj (2002) concluded that references to previous
research should be treated as a Sub-step “employed in the realization of any step in the introduction
(Samraj, 2002, p. 16); this proposition is justified by the presence of this Sub-step in all three Moves
and its various rhetorical functions. Moreover, Kwan (2006, p. 40) found that thematic units of the
theses in her study start with establishing themes connected to the author(s) study in segments
displaying linguistic aspects similar to step 2 Making topic generalizations in CARS model and a
content including definitions or explanations of the concepts, theoretical approaches and surveys of
“non-research practices or phenomena” related to the thematical content of the research at hand.
She labelled these passages Strategy 1A: Surveying the existing state of knowledge and non-research
practices, which merges Step 2 Making topic generalization and Step 3 Reviewing previous research
in CARS model.

In the preliminary analysis of the present research, the segments reviewing previous research to
establish territory were initially coded M1S4 Reviewing items of previous research, while aspects
related to the applicability of the theories and constructs discussed in the author(s)’ field of
research, M1S2 Making topic generalization and giving background information. There are many
segments that perform both rhetorical functions, but, as in previous studies (Ozturk, 2007; Del Saz-
Rubio, 2011; Lin, 2014), the more prominent one was taken into consideration. The distinction was
based mainly on the propositional content with M1S2 Making topic generalization and giving
background information primarily appearing to display the function of developing concepts used
later in the study to build a theoretical frameworks, while M1S4 Reviewing items of previous
research played the role of situating the research in its field. The citations, predominantly non-
integral, were also analysed, but they did not yield conclusive results because, as Samraj (2002)
points out, “references to previous research” may play a more complex functional role than
establishing the territory (p.7).

Example 1 below was coded S2 Making topic generalization and giving background information
because the segment is categorizing R&D, which is the focus of Article 3. Example 2, on the other
hand, is delineating the larger research territory for Corporate governance, the focus of Article 8, so
it was coded S4 Reviewing items of previous research.

Example 1

The government uses a range of policy tools to overcome these market failures, such as R&D grants,
innovation rewards and R&D tax incentives (Boeing, 2016).

LRA3 S2

Example 2

Starting in the 1990s, entrepreneurial network theory focused on opening the “black box” of
corporate entrepreneurship from the network perspective (Gurrieri, 2013).

LRA8 S4

13
Labelling segments that claim centrality
Centrality claims are used to counteract any negative effects resulted from addressing a certain topic
and to “pay respect to the wider scientific audience’s negative face” (Del Saz Rubio, 2011, p. 265),
i.e. avoid an apparent opinion imposition or infringement upon an academic territory; by
demonstrating it has already been accepted by the concerned academic community, the topic
proves valuable to pursue (Del Saz Rubio, 2011; Kanoksilapatham, 2003; Lindenberg, 2004). This
way, the writers prepare the ground for presenting the focus of their research and mitigate the
potential negative effect their claims might have on the members of the discourse community
(Myers, 1989). The correspondent Step in Swales’ (1990) and Bunton’s (2002) models is S1 Claiming
centrality and Strategy 1B: claiming the centrality of the theme reviewed in Kwan (2006, p. 40), who
identifies two types: “thesis-internal claims” and “thesis-external claims”, the former providing a
clear link between the author’s paper and the significance of the theme while the latter is similar to
the other two models.

In the current study, centrality claims follow the dichotomy research world – real world (Connor &
Mauranen, 1999; Samraj, 2002) characteristic to applied sciences, which led to the division of the
Step into M1S1.1 Claiming importance in the research world (see example 3) and M1S1.2 Claiming
importance in the real world (see example 4).

Example 3

The punctuated equilibrium model of organizational transformation has emerged as the prominent
theoretical framework for explaining fundamental changes in patterns of organizational activity
(Romanelli and Tushman, 1994).
Article 3: 2 - 2 (0)

Example 4

Traditionality is one of the most crucial value variables to restrain Chinese people. Individuals with
different levels of traditionality display great differences in attitudes and behavior patterns (Farh et
al., 1997).
Article 2: 16 - 16 (0)

Labelling segments indicating a niche

This Move has attracted many scholars’ attention, as Establishing a niche is a core concept in CARS
model and the principal means in justifying the existence of a study. Gaps can be established by
pointing out to insufficiently-explored research areas or a dearth in knowledge, questions that still
require answers, hypotheses in need of being validated, methods in need of being improved or
necessity to continue research in a certain area (Lindenberg, 2004; Kanoksilapatham, 2003; Kwan,
2006; Samraj, 2002; Stoller & Robinson, 2013).

Kwan (2006) found that Move 2 is realised using two types of strategies: negational and affirmative.
The former corresponds to counterclaiming and gap-indicating in CARS model, while the latter refers
to the “positive step” lacking from the CARS model but used by some authors in their study as
positive justification to provide reasons for conducting their studies (Samraj, 2002, p. 9). This step

14
resembles Anthony’s (1999) evaluation of research and it is a way to establish niche without causing
previous authors to lose face (Samraj, 2002; Ahmad, 1997).

The elements indicating the gap refer to “paucity or scarcity (gaps) of various sorts” both in research
and practices related to the application of knowledge, an insufficient understanding of a certain
theoretical or practical aspect or “the need for research or non-research action” (Kwan, 2006, p.44).
Bunton’s (2002, p.74) model makes this distinction by introducing the steps 1A Indicating a gap in
research and 1B Indicating a problem or need. This distinction was noticeable in the present study
also, so the M2 Step 1 Indicating a gap was divided into M2S1.1 Indicating a gap in research
(example 5) and S1.2 M2Indicating a problem or need (in the real world) (example 6).

Example 5

However, there are few empirical studies on the mechanisms behind R&D subsidies on corporate
performance. (LRArticle 5: 3 - 3)

Example 6

However, the financial constraints and innovation capabilities of enterprises in China vary in terms of
their ownership, size and life cycles. (LRArticle 5: 10 - 10)

Difficulties in coding M2 Establishing a niche

One difficulty in coding the steps pertaining to Move 2 arose when segments initially labelled as
Making topic generalisations and giving background information, Step in Move 1, appeared to
contribute to establishing the niche, situation similar to a certain extent to Samraj’s (2002) study of
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Behaviour introductions, where one of the purposes these
references to previous literature served was justifying the gap created. These segments seem to
correspond to Strategy 2Y: Relevancy-claiming in Kwan’s (2006) model, where they clearly show how
the examined items can be applied in that study.

In the current research, some of the segments initially labelled as Making topic generalisations and
giving background information correspond Strategy2Y in Kwan model, but others present the
authors’ new perspective or develop a theoretical framework based on a synthesis of work cited in
Move 1 (Kwan, 2006). As a result, they were labelled Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to
establish a theoretical position or a theoretical framework (see example 7), like Strategy E in Kwan’s
model. An indication of the function of this Step is that it normally precedes Theoretical
position/theoretical framework (see example 8) step in Move 3. The two above-mentioned Steps
might seem similar, as both serve the function of introducing the author(s)’ perspective. Yet, they
are different but complementary, i.e. Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a
theoretical position or a theoretical framework builds an argument based on which Theoretical
position/theoretical framework draws a conclusion. The difference is given by authorial presence
(see Appendix 2A, table 4) showing the authors’ ownership over the ideas presented in M3S2
Theoretical position/theoretical framework. The boundary is also clearly shown by causal discourse
markers.

Example 7

In addition, based on the individual differences and information processing view of leader–follower
interactions (Yammarino and Bass, 1990), interactions between leaders and followers vary,
depending on how each individual follower cognitively and emotionally interprets the leader’s
behaviour. (Article 1: 9 - 9)

15
Example 8

In this study, we adopt this perspective to consider transformational leadership as either group-
focused or individual-focused. (Article 1: 5 - 5)

3.3.2 Pilot analysis

Based on the above observations, an analytical framework was developed (see Appendix 2B, figure
6) and a pilot analysis was performed on another set of 10 randomly chosen articles.

The pilot analysis revealed some inconsistencies in coding segments M2 S4 Abstracting or

synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a theoretical position or a theoretical framework and M3
S2 Theoretical positions/theoretical framework, which were analysed again and criteria for
distinction were revised. In these segments, the authors analyse the connection between theories in
their field, their researched topic, and its context in the business world. The distinction was made
based on the authorial presence manifest in M3S2 and the lack of it in M3S4, because these two
steps in combination serve to build a conceptual framework, but M3S4 analyses and evaluates
existing theories and concepts to prepare the ground for the authors’ framework stated in M3S2.
Also, the abundance of citations in M2S4 and their scarcity in M3S2 was also instrumental in
labelling the Steps. The Move boundary for M3S2 is indicated by logical connectives such as
therefore, thus, hence, and consequently.

There was another change, regarding the items reviewing previous knowledge or practices in the
field. These segments were grouped together in one step, Making topic generalisations and giving
background information, which was included as a Sub-step in M1S2 Developing core concept(s) (see
figure 3.4) or theoretical framework, because the main rhetorical function of these references to
previous literature appears to be contributing to the development of the concepts/theoretical
framework of the study.

As a result, the analytical framework was modified accordingly and used in the final analysis.

3.3.3 Final analysis

The analytical framework (see figures 3.4a and 3.4 b below) was modified according to the results
yielded by the pilot analysis and used to code all the LRs in the corpus twice within a month
distance.
Literature Review Code System

Code System

M1 Establishing a
territory
S1 Claiming centrality
S1.1 Claiming importance in the Research World

16
 S1.2 Claiming importance in the Real World

S2 Developing core concept(s) or theoretical framework

S2.1 Defining core concept(s)

S2.2 Defining constituent parts of the core concept(s)

S2.3 Making topic generalizations

M2 Establishing a niche
S1 Indicating a gap
S1.1 Indicating a gap in research

S1.2 Indicating a problem or need (in the real world)

S2 Asserting confirmative claims about knowledge

S3 Asserting the relevancy of the surveyed claims

S4 Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims

S5 Counterclaiming

M3 Occupying the niche

S1 Research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses

S2 Theoretical positions/theoretical framework

S3 Significance/Justification

S4 Defining constructs used in the study

S5 Announcing own research

The step and sub-steps in italics were introduced by the author.

(Bunton, 2002; Kwan, 2006, 2012; Samraj, 2002, 2005)

Figure 3.4a Literature reviews code system

M1 Establishing a territory
M1 S1 Claiming centrality
M1S1.1 IPR protection is a vital component in improving the innovation performance of high-
tech enterprises in emerging A12
M1S1.2 The punctuated equilibrium model of organizational transformation has emerged as
the prominent theoretical framework for explaining fundamental changes in patterns
of organizational activity A3
M1 S2 Developing core concept(s) or theoretical framework

17
 M1S2.1 Market power can be defined as the ability of a firm to influence other market players
in market competition A4
M1S2.2 Inter-organizational trust mainly refers to trust between long-term alliances, especially
between buyers, suppliers and strategic allies and within industrial clusters A8
M1S2.3 Some western scholars have reported that many behaviors are caused by the innate
pathology of narcissistic leadership A2
M2 Establishing a niche
M2 S1 Indicating a gap
M2S1.1 However, there are few empirical studies on the mechanisms behind R&D subsidies on
corporate performance. A5
M2S1.2 However, common knowledge base among organizational members becomes
increasingly difficult to attain as the knowledge breadth expands A6
M2S2 As such, internal and external risks are less likely to spread through partnerships. A9
M2S3 High-tech industries tend to pay more attention to product innovation and do not
disclose details to prevent innovative products or practices from being stolen by
competitors in an illegal manner. A12
M2S4 The shift of innovation strategy to exploratory innovation enables firms to embrace
new market opportunities by introducing new technologies, exploring new processes
and developing new channels of distribution when facing rapid changes in
technologies, variations in customer preferences and fluctuations in product demand
or supply of materials. A3
M2S5 However, existing studies have reported that narcissistic leadership negatively
correlates with employee voice behavior (Joel et al., 2018). A2
M3 Occupying the niche
M3S1 Building on this line of reasoning, we draw upon cost–benefit analysis and social
network theory in this study. A4
M3S2 In comparison to the previous researches at the individual level, exploring causes of
FUB based on product market competition at the firm level will be a significant
expansion of the current theoretical framework. A4
M3S4 Business ties refer to managers’ personal social connections with market-related
players, such as customers, suppliers, and even competitors. A6
M3S5 Therefore, to ameliorate the bias of studies on Chinese executive pay, this paper
addresses the role of management ownership. A14
Figure 3.4b Literature reviews coded segments examples

4. Findings and Discussion

This section first presents the general findings of the rhetorical analysis in the two sets of data,
literature reviews and introductions, and then it moves on to give a more detailed account of each
Move and Step. Presenting the findings of Moves and Steps also include a comparison of the two
sets of data, to discover what the prevalent rhetorical functions are in each section and find possible
explanations. The final discussion sub-section summarises and evaluates the results.

18
4.1. General findings
4.1.1. Literature reviews (LRs) findings
The LRs corpus contains 51 thematic units (see Appendix 3, table 1), of various lengths (see Appendix
3, table 2). Although the layout properties of the texts and the sub-headings indicate that six LRs
begin with introductory sections, they were not analysed separately as in Kwan’s (2006) study as at
the preliminary analysis they displayed a rhetorical organisation comparable to thematic unit 1 in
the other LRs in the data set.

As illustrated in the figure 4.1 below, there are 347 coded segments in the LRs corpus distributed
unevenly across the corpus, the number of segments per article being proportional neither to the
number of thematic units nor to the article length. For example, A1 consists of 3 thematic units with
a total length of 4992 words and 31 coded segments, while A5, with 2 thematic units of a total
length of 8978, contains 17 coded segments.

Fig. 4.1 Literature reviews number of coded segments per article

Table 3 in Appendix 3 displays the coded Moves and Steps in the LRs per article and per each
thematic unit. It is apparent from this table that thematic unit 1 generally follows the canonical
pattern M1 - M2 – M3, but these Moves appear in a single succession only in A1, in the others,
where the pattern is present, there is cyclicity involved. Exceptions are A6 and A11, where M1 is
missing. Apart from thematic unit 1, M1 is present only in 4 instances in other thematic units (A3,
A6, A7, and A10). The common pattern in the thematic units, apart from unit 2, is cyclical M2 – M3.

4.1.2. Introductions (Is) findings

The introductions corpus contains 175 coded segments distributed relatively evenly per article, as
illustrated in figure 4.2 below, pertaining to Moves and Steps with various coverages (see figure 4.3).
The lowest number of coded segments can be found in A1 (5) and the highest in A10 (17). Unlike the
literature reviews, in the introductions the number of coded segments is directly proportional to the
length of the articles. For example, A15, with 1113 words, contains 16 coded segments, while A8,
with 594, words, only 6.

19
 Fig. 4.2 Introductions number of coded segments per article

As shown in figure 4.3 below, the most important rhetorical functions in the introductions are
establishing the territory and identifying a niche, suggesting that occupying the niche might be
postponed for the literature reviews.

Fig. 4.3 Introductions corpus % code coverage

Table 4 in Appendix 3 shows the coded Moves and Steps in the introductions per article, and it
illustrates the core pattern is M1 – M2 – M3, which appears in a single sequence only in A1. In the
other articles M1 – M2 – M3 pattern consists of cycles, like in A6 (2), A10 (3), A12 (2), A14 (2), and
A15 (2). This core pattern is either preceded by M1 – M2 pattern in a single block (A3, A4, and A6) or
cyclical (A7, A9, and A11), or followed by M2 – M3 also in a single block (A10, and A11) or cyclical
(A5, A13, and A15).

The above description shows a correlation between thematic unit 1 in the literature review sections
and introductions, in terms of rhetorical organisation, i.e. they follow to certain extent the pattern
M1 – M2 – M3. A possible reason for this resemblance might be that some of the rhetorical
functions performed in the introductions are repeated in thematic unit 1, either reformulated or

20
further developed, as a starting point for the argument constructed throughout the literature
review.

4.2 Moves
One important aspect in the discussion of Moves is in what circumstances they can be considered
obligatory (Kanoksilapatham, 2005). Soler – Monreal, Carbonell-Olivares & Gil-Salom (2011), in their
study of doctoral theses introductions, established the threshold at 90% presence in all the data,
while Kwan (2006) at 100% of appearance in all the thematic units.

The current study uses Kanoksilapatham (2015, p. 78) framework stating that “a move was classified
as obligatory, conventional, or optional if found 100%, more than 60%, and in less than 60% of the
corpora, respectively”. Since LRs in RAs, unlike in MA theses, are shorter and may not be divided into
subsequent sections, the criteria are applied to the LR as a single unit.

In Kwan’s (2006) study no obligatory Move was found, but M1 and M2 predominated. The analysis
of current LRs (see Appendix 3, table 5) revealed that M1, being present 14 articles (93%) could be
considered conventional, while M2 and M3, present in all the articles, obligatory. Also, the length of
these two Moves possibly indicate the importance the authors attached to them in the LRs (see
figure 4.4), in comparison with the introductions, where the 3 Moves are more equally distributed
(figure 4.5). It appears that establishing a niche, the rhetorical function of M2, which covers 66% of
the literature reviews is given a special attention, and the possible reasons will be explored in the
subsequent parts of this section. On the other hand, a potential explanation for the small coverage
of M1 in the LRs corpus might be that the authors situate their research in the correspondent field of
study in the introductions, where M1 is better represented (see figure 4.4). The introductions also
establish the niche relatively briefly in M2, and state the aims, theoretical framework and the value
of their research in M3.

Fig. 4.4 LR Corpus % Move Coverage

21
Fig. 4.5 Is Corpus & Move Coverage

4.2.1. LRs Move 1, Establishing the territory

The analysis revealed that the territory established in M1 can be divided into “a real-world territory”
and a “research territory” (Connor & Mauranen, 1999, p. 53) due to the applied nature of the
Management discipline. M1, if present, contextualises and attempts to demonstrate the importance
of themes related to the authors’ study, usually at the beginning of the thematic units (Kwan, 2006,
p.40). This Move consists of 2 Steps of various lengths (see figure 4.9) displaying attributes
resembling both semantically and functionally the Steps and Strategies in M1 in Bunton’s (2002) and
Kwan’s (2006). For example, Kwan’s Strategy 1A: Surveying the existing state of knowledge and non-
research practices presents “neutral accounts” (2006, p. 40) meaning that the survey provides
information about the topic of a LR but does not constitute its focus (Yu Tseng, 2018); the lexical
realisation of Strategy 1A resembles S 1.2 Making topic generalizations in CARS model and, in terms
of propositional content, it contains definitions/terminology and references to epistemic and non-
epistemic knowledge related to the thematic content of a specific unit (Kwan, 2006).

Similarly, M1 in the current study serves to review concepts and ideas that situate the concepts or
theories in their field of study or in the business world and highlights their significance. It usually
occurs in the first thematic units of the LR (see figures 4.6 and 4.7), at the beginning of the unit, as
part, to some extent to the “chronological CARS move order” (Del Saz Rubio, 2011, p. 263), M1 – M2
– M3, and it consists of two Steps: S1 Claiming centrality and S2 Developing core concept(s) or
theoretical framework. In the latter, the term concept is understood in a larger sense, including
theories, beliefs and business-related phenomena that contribute to the development of a certain
concept.

22
Fig. 4.6 LRs code chart

Fig. 4.7 LRs code system in MAXQDA

In the LRs M1corpus, from 33 coded segments, 12 belong to S1 and 21 to S2 (see figure 4.8), but the
coverage is clearly dominated by S2, 88% (see figure 4.9).

23
Fig. 4.7 LRs M1 corpus code frequency

Fig. 4.8 LRs M1 corpus % code coverage

4.2.1.1. LR M1S1 Claiming centrality

In the LRs data set, M1S2, with a coverage of 60 % can be considered optional, but a division by Sub-
steps reveals that centrality claims related to the real world practices, present in 9 articles,
dominate, as opposed to claiming centrality in the research world, which appears in 4 articles.

The coverage of S1.1 and S1.2 across the M1 corpus (see figure 4.8) might be discipline-related,
which underlines the pragmatic aspect of Management. In fact, Lindenberg (2004), in a study of RAIs

24
of Business and Marketing found a great amount of evaluative language appearing to support her
assumption that claiming centrality is a promotional tool. For this study, Lindenberg produced a list
of appeals in what she named “promotional steps”, including “Claims of centrality, Statements of
knowledge gaps and Boosts” (Lindenberg, 2004, p. 82).

Fig. 4.9 LRs M1S1 Claiming centrality % code coverage

In the current study as well, the position at the beginning of the thematic unit and of the LR, plus the
amount of boosting language, suggest that this step might play a central role in the authors’ attempt
at persuading the audience to accept the validity of their claim (see appendix 3, table 6).

Examples 7 and 8 below illustrate how boosters associate to emphasise the significance of the
concepts discussed and to gain acceptance from the audience. The later point is supported by the
use of hedge one of in example 7, suggesting the authors’ awareness of potential counterclaims
from the reader and the need to mitigate them.

Example 7

Traditionality is one of the most crucial value variables to restrain Chinese people. Individuals with
different levels of traditionality display great differences in attitudes and behavior patterns (Farh et
al., 1997).

Article 2: 16 - 16 (0)

Example 8

A significant positive relationship between executive pay and firm performance has been
documented in the literature on Chinese executive compensation (Firth et al., 2010; Wang and Xiao,
2011).

Article 14: 3 - 3 (0)

Furthermore, there is a total absence of authorial voice in this step, which might be regarded as
what Hyland (2000) considers a subtle strategical choice for gaining the audience’s approval by

25
deemphasising the authors’ involvement, in order to create the impression that it could be
generally-accepted knowledge. The use of citations seems to support this opinion as well; 11 out of
16 centrality claims are backed by non-integral Source citations (Thomson & Tribble, 2001), usually a
synthesis of several authors (see example 9 below), which functions as an indirect appeal to
authority.

Example 9

GRSs encourage enterprises to increase innovation R&D investment and save private R&D
investment to address the positive externality of innovation achievement as public goods (Arrow,
1972; Aschhoff, 2009; Özçelik and Taymaz, 2008).

Article 12: 3 - 3 (0)

In addition, the high density of stance markers and the variety of means employed suggest that
M1S1 has an important role to play in the rhetorical organisation of the Management articles LRs in
this corpus, role that is better identified if analysed in correlation with M2S4; M1S1 attempts to
establish the importance of the core concepts or focus, constituent parts of the core concepts or
theoretical framework starting the line of reasoning which is continued in M2S4. The latter also
makes use of persuasion language, but in a less direct way and with slightly different appeals.
Examples 12 and 13 below illustrate how the central concept is presented as valuable in M1S1, idea
further developed in M2S4.

Example 12

Innovation is vital to firm growth and economic development (Arrow, 1962; Romer, 1990; Howell,
2017; Acemoglu et al., 2018).

Article 5: 3 - 3 (0) LRM1S1

Example 13

The capital market can obtain accurate information about a firm’s innovation capability […]. This
makes the capital supply at the equilibrium of capital markets, which can meet the optimal capital
demand of the firm, thereby leading to maximum profit for the firm. In such situations, according to
the principle of profit maximization, the enterprise invests its funds in innovation or expands its
production, which ultimately increases its performance.

Article 5: 4 - 4 (0) LRM2S4

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

The comparison with the introductions revealed that, while this step is conventional in both corpora,
the number of identifiable patterns is low. In the introductions, M1S1 is used to establish the
importance of the core concepts or focus in all segments, but in the literature reviews it appears
only in 6 instances. In A9 and A14, LRM1S1 is an approximate restatement of IM1S1, as in Yu Tseng’s
(2018) study, while in A4 both Steps refer to core concepts or focus, but the appeal (see Appendix 3,

26
table 7) is different. Examples 10 and 11 below show how the centrality claim made in the
introduction is restated in the literature review.

Example 10

Therefore, the degree of government intervention can be vital in supporting R&D and innovation
(Arrow, 1962).

IA9

Example 11

As noted in Figure 1, the government is one of the determinants for R&D.

LRA9

4.2.1.2. LRM1S2 Developing core concept(s) or theoretical framework

This Step and can be considered conventional as it is absent only in A11 and it has the greatest
coverage, 79%, in LRM1 (see figure 4.10).

The rhetorical functions M1S2 performs in the literature review sections resemble Step 2 Making
topic generalization(s) and/or Step 3 Reviewing items of previous research in CARS and Strategy 1A:
Surveying the existing state of knowledge and non-research practices in Kwan’s models. It delineates
the research area by exploring knowledge and real world/business phenomena connected to the
authors’ research topic but not constituting its focus (Yu Tseng, 2018). The choice of label is an
attempt to better clarify this Step’s contribution to the realisation of one main rhetorical functions
of the LRs in this study, i.e. to show how the concepts and theorical frameworks are constructed and
to demonstrate their validity.

M1S2 consists of 3 sub-steps: S2.1 Defining core concept(s), S2.2 Defining constituent parts of the
core concept(s), and S2.3 .Making topic generalizations, the third one having the highest coverage
(see figure 4.10). The first two Sub-steps introduce terminology and/or clarifies how it is used in the
study by first presenting the core concept in the first thematic unit and then initiating its analysis by
dividing it into constituent parts in the subsequent thematic units, i.e. progressing from general to
specific, each clarification of terms/concepts having a direct correspondence with the hypotheses
stated in M3.

27
Fig. 4.10 LRs M1S2 Developing core concepts % code coverage

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

The comparison indicates that the core terminology might be briefly explained in the introductions,
but its extensive analysis is reserved for the literature reviews in M1, but also in M2 and M3. Figure
4.11 shows that S2 Developing core concepts covers 91% of the IM1 corpus, from which only 9%
belong to M1S2.1 Terminology/definitions, the rest being occupied by M1S2.2 Making topic
generalizations. In the LRs corpus M1S2.1 1 Defining core concept(s) appears to be conventional
(60%), while M1S2.2 Defining constituent parts of the core concept(s) is only optional (40%).

Fig. 4.11 Is M1 % code coverage

In the Introductions M1S2.1 Terminology/definitions seems to be also optional, being present in 8

articles (53%). There is no pattern that can be considered recurrent, probably because the authors
decide on the extent of elaboration, place in the article or the use of definitions depending on the
audience (Darian, 2003; Triki, 2019). In this study the authors address the expert audience in their

28
academic community, the implications being that in Introductions, in M1S2.2 Making topic
generalizations, the concepts/terms are used as accepted knowledge and their development is
postponed for the LRs reviews, where they function as the starting point of an argument (Halliday &
Matthiessen, 2014). If present in the introductions, the definitions of core concepts are reformulated
at the beginning of the LRs, beginning the line of reasoning. For instance, in A9 the core concepts are
Risk propagation and Research, development networks and government intervention. Example 14
below traces their development throughout the literature review.

Example 14

This phenomenon is referred as risk propagation (Zhang and Yang, 2013).

IM1S2.1A9 Terminology/definitions

In this study, we categorize government intervention into directive and facilitative intervention
based on the work of Luedde-Neurath (1988).

LRM1S2.1A9 Defining core concept(s)

Directive intervention refers to R&D funding, public research facilities, financial subsidies, and tax
incentives provided by the government (Sheng et al., 2011). Facilitative intervention aims at
creating stable and positive R&D environment for enterprises by providing public goods, such as
infrastructure and education, issuing beneficial policies, and providing valuable information and
guidelines (Sharif and Baark, 2008).

LRM1S2.2A9 Defining constituent parts of the core concept(s)

Internal risk propagation refers to diffusion among enterprises triggered by financial risk, moral risk,
and technical risk etc. External risk propagation entails dissemination among enterprises caused by
environmental and policy risk, market risk, and natural risk etc. (Wang and Huang, 2005; Feng and
Chen, 2001).

LRM3S4A9 Defining constructs used in the study

4.2.1.2.1. LR M1S2.3 Making topic generalisations and giving background information

This Step is optional in the LRs corpus having a low coverage (46%) and it consists of references to
previous research and to the practical application of the theories in the business world (see example
15 below), the topics being gradually narrowed down and critically analysed for introducing the
concepts used in the research at hand.

Step identification was based, apart from the propositional content, on meta-nouns, such as
scholars, research, analysis, data, theory, model, design, frame, frame, study, factors and type,
transitions, such as recently, currently, in recent years, based on, given the, according to, compared
with, on such basis, in general, extensively used, indicative of, associate with, in contrast and as a
result, and reporting verbs, such as find, suggest, posit, explore, focus, and mention, which serve to
introduce a time frame for the surveyed and analysed epistemic and business-related phenomena
and create a theoretical and practical basis for the concepts used in the study.

Example 15

29
Based on the differences in trust subjects, existing research has been divided into two aspects: inter-
organizational trust and intra-organizational trust (Doney and Cannon, 1997; Gilbert et al., 1998).

Article 8: 4 - 4 (0)

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

The comparison revealed that this Step plays a central role in the introductions, where its coverage
is quite high in M1 and it is obligatory (100%). In conjunction with the other steps from IM1, making
topic generalisations lays the foundation for subsequent M2 and M3.

4.2.2. LRs Move 2 Establishing a niche

As aforementioned, this Move is obligatory in the literature reviews and with a coverage of 66% of
the LRs, it appears to be the most significant in the current study. The purpose that Establishing a
niche serves is to create a ‘demand’ that justifies the research conducted (Swales, 1990), to provide
a background against which the authors’ research aims are compared, in order to emphasise “the
magnitude or relevance of the current contribution” (Lindenberg, 2004, p. 89) and demonstrate the
authors’ awareness of knowledge and practices in the field (Bazerman, 1989). Figures 12 and 13
below show that the most significant Steps, both in terms of frequency and coverage, are M2S1
Indicating a gap and M2S4 Abstracting and synthesizing knowledge claims.

Fig. 4.12 LRs M2 code frequency

30
Fig. 4.13 LRs M2 % code coverage

4.2.2.1. LRs M2S1 Indicating a gap

The presence in 11 articles (73%) makes this step conventional in this corpus, while the Sub-steps,
M2S1.2 Indicating a gap in research (40%) and M2S1.2 Indicating a problem or need (in the real
world) (53%) are optional.

Furthermore, the segments signalling a gap are usually short, introduced by connectives (23
instances out of 37 in total), mainly adversative (however in 18 instances, although in 2) and causal
(therefore 3 and as a result 1) or noun phrases such as previous studies and extant literature.
Although both Sub-steps are easy to identify based on linguistics cues such as verbs in negative form
or with negative meaning (neglect, ignore), adjectives (difficult, unclear, limited, little) and nouns
(limitations, difficulties) used in various combinations (see example 16), gap statements indicating
issues in the real world are more implicit and context bound (see examples 17 and 18 below).

Example 16

Thus, the dynamic issues of trust have become an urgent theoretical gap to be explored.

Article 4

However, there are few empirical studies on the mechanisms behind R&D subsidies on corporate
performance.

Example 17

Article 5

However, different types of informal ties function differently and play diversified roles in driving
radical innovation (Chen et al., 2014).

Article 6

Example 18

31
Therefore, high holistic cognition frame may hamper the novelty-centred business model design.

Article 7

An interesting finding is the use of hedges, mainly modals (may, 12 times, could 2 and can 1) and is
likely (3 times), associated with a neutral tone when pointing to shortcomings in the real world (see
examples 18 and 19), as opposed to unhedged, sometimes firm statements (see example 16 above),
when identifying a gap in research. This situation might suggest that the authors address two
different communities, the practitioners and the theorists, and different rules of politeness may be
required for each. However, the limited scale of the study and the lack of information related to
other factors involved, such as disciplinary norms of conduct or cultural aspects, hinder the
identification of the causes.

Example 19

However, local tax authorities may care less for dispersed firms because these units or subsidiaries
are much smaller in size due to their different locations.

Article 10

Also, there are 4 centrality claims embedded in gap-indicating Sub-steps, all signalled by the
adjective important (see example 20 below).

Example 20

What is more, as an important issue in entrepreneurial network, studies about trust evolution are
still in the initial stage and have not addressed dynamic changes of network features.

Article 8: 3 - 3 (0)

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

The comparison shows that this Step is obligatory in the introductions and has a higher coverage
(60% of M2) than in the literature reviews.

In connection with the correspondent step in the Is corpus, LRS2 performs the following functions:
elaborates the idea stated in the introduction (A1, A2, A6 and A8); points to gaps related to concepts
or areas other than the ones stated in the introduction (A4, A10, A12 and A 14); summarises the gap
stated in the introduction (A5, in which the gap is developed in 4 instances of gap-indicating and one
instance of counterclaiming). M2S1 Indicating a gap is absent in 5 articles in the LRs corpus, situation
comparable to Yu Tseng’s (2018) study. It appears that direct gap indicating in this corpus is mostly
performed in the Is, while in the LRs the authors employ other more implicit means, as illustrated in
the following discussion.

4.2.2.2. LR M2 S4 Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims

Present in all the articles, this Step can be considered obligatory in the literature reviews sections,
fact emphasised by its high frequency and coverage, 90% of M2 (see figure 4.12 and 4.13).

It was found that this Step follows a logical progression, as illustrated in the discussion below. The
outset of M2S4 is usually marked by references to seminal theories related to the article’s concepts
and/or theoretical framework, whose development and ramifications are subsequently detailed,
critically analysed and evaluated, both in terms and theoretical perspective and their applicability.

32
The purposes of this line of reasoning are to validate the concepts and theoretical frameworks used
in the authors’ studies, to shows how these concepts and/or frameworks have been developed by
the academic community, and to introduce the authors’ perspective. When this argument is
achieved, the authors’ perspectives are clearly stated in the subsequent Steps M3S2 Theoretical
positions/theoretical framework or M3S1 S1 Research aims, focuses, research questions or
hypotheses as the logical conclusions of the discussion in M2S4. In fact, M2S4 appears in conjunction
with M3S2 51 times and with M3S1 41 times. The boundaries between M2 and M3 are clearly
marked in M3 segments by a combination of causal discourse markers, authorial presence, reporting
verbs, and hedges (see Appendix 3, tables 7, 8 and 9) announcing the reader that the following
section develops or represents the final stage in the line of reasoning developed in M2S4. Example
20 below traces the transition from M2S4 to M3S2 and M3S1 respectively; as it can be seen, the
claim before the boundary is hedged as it precludes and sets the ground for the authors’ conclusion,
stated in the following Step.

Example 20

Whether expected benefits from FUB outweigh the costs may depend on the conditions of product
market competition. For instance, FUB initiatives have been viewed as beneficial to some firms, but
perhaps not to others, such as those in industries with fierce competition (Dupire and M’Zali, 2018).
(M2S4) As indicated above, we speculated that the properties of product market competition may
be a critical driver of firms’ involvement in FUB. (M3S2)

A4

Once the market information is sufficient, firms could be more confident that they are able to
understand existing customers’ needs in-depth and in time (Mitchell, 2002). The firms that have
more high-quality market intelligence would be more capable of responding to the market and more
willing to do so. (M2S4) Therefore:

H6. Unabsorbed slack is positively related to responsive market orientation. (M3S1)

Furthermore, the analysis of stance and engagement markers showed no authorial presence in
M2S4, but yielded a high amount of boosters and attitude markers, which are presented together in
Appendix 3, table 10, because the functions they perform are context-bound (Hyland, 2000;
Lindenberg, 2004) and rather aggregative than individual. Cautious language is also well
represented, perhaps because evaluating knowledge could be considered disrespectful by the
members of the same academic community and it might need to be compensated by hedging
(Myers, 1989; Hyland, 2000). M2S4 contains 114 instances of hedging, mainly realised by modal
verbs: may (56), could (26) and might (26) plus the adjective likely as complement of the verb to be
(26).

The circumstances in which the hedges are used depend on the type of claims the authors make.
Cautious language is absent in appeals to authority realised by integral citations with strong
reporting verbs, such as argue and find, followed by a that clause indicating a strong claim (Myers,
1989). These appeals are in many cases associated with boosting language (see example 21 below).
The appeals to authority in this research are used as starting points for the main parts of the
arguments, play the role of validating the concepts and/or theoretical frameworks in the conducted
study, and, apparently, show the authors’ commitment to the content.

33
Example 21

Wu et al. (2010) argued that idealized influence and inspirational motivation were more group-
focused because they emphasize both collective goals and shared mutual visions, which inspire and
motivate followers to achieve higher- order goals.

Article 1: 3 - 5 (0)

The same function is performed by multiple citations, which may or may not contain stance markers
and could be considered an indirect appeal to authority (see example 22 below).

Example 22

To prevent the loss of resources, they might reduce various pro-organizational behaviors and take
selfish actions to protect themselves and save resources for other challenges (Breevaart and Zacher,
2019; Byun et al., 2017).

Article 2: 10 - 13 (0)

The notion of a team goal orientation reflects the presence of a common understanding among
team members in terms of how they look at goal achievement (Bunderson and Sutcliffe, 2003; Chi
and Huang, 2014; Gong et al., 2013; Mehta et al.,2009).

Article 15: 6 - 8 (0)

Also, when the authors’ own claims are presented, even in the absence of authorial presence hedges
are employed (see example 23 below), which does not necessarily reflect the degree of their
commitment to the propositional content but the necessary degree of politeness required in the
academic communities (Hunston, 1993; Hyland, 1996a; Myers, 1989).

Example 23

The effect of holistic cognition frame on business model design in established firms may differ with
that in new ventures.

A7

Correlated with the critical evaluation of the existing state of epistemic knowledge and business
world practices related to the authors’ research focus, stance markers presence in this Step might be
an indicator of its promotional character, i.e. one of the main rhetorical functions of this Step could
be persuasion.

LRM2S4 segments with double rhetorical function in M2S4

Although labelled according to the dominant function of M2S4, the segments that perform a double
rhetorical function are worth mentioning as they disclose some nuances in the line of reasoning
developed in M2S4.

There are two categories: claiming centrality and indicating a gap statements, which share the traits
of not directly referring to core concepts, being embedded in M2S4 and containing stance markers.
Their function is to gradually demonstrate the significance of the target concepts by pointing out to
their validity or usefulness and contrasting them against other concepts in the area.

34
The core concepts in A3 are volatility (see example 24 below), market value and executive
overconfidence. This segment is claiming centrality for attributes related to the third concept, and it
helps advancing the argument for building theoretical framework validity.

Example 24

They found that group-focused transformational leadership is beneficial to group identification and
collective efficacy, which contributes to group effectiveness, whereas individual-focused
transformational leadership promotes leader identification and self-effectiveness.

A3

In example 25 below the authors is pointing out to an inconsistency in applying a concept used in the
study, but the main role of the passage is to advance the argument in M2S4.

Example 25

For instance, FUB initiatives have been viewed as beneficial to some firms, but perhaps not to
others, such as those in industries with fierce competition (Dupire and M’Zali, 2018).

A4

Based on the above analysis, it may be concluded that M2S4 is gradually establishing a niche both
explicitly and implicitly, through an elaborate process of critical analysis and evaluation of previous
theoretical and applied knowledge in the field. In M2S4, which appears to be the most significant
Step in the literature reviews, the coded segments display a combination of functions. One of these
functions is reviewing previous research with the purpose of demonstrating the authors knowledge
in the field and acknowledging other researchers’ contribution to its development, which further
serves the purpose of gaining validation from the discourse community. The same segment though
can, for example, subtly play the role of claiming centrality for aspects pertaining to the authors’
concept or theoretical framework, by contrasting them against previous findings. All the functions
merge in argument meant to develop the concepts and/or theoretical frameworks employed in the
study, argument that is achieved in M3.

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

In the introductions, this Step is optional (26%) and displays the same characteristics as its
correspondent in the LR corpus, including the patterns M2S4 M3S2 (4 instances) and M2S4 – M3S1
(2 instances).

4.2.2.3. LRM2 S5 Counterclaiming

Present only in A2, this Step is optional and consists of statements denying the efficiency of practices
in the business world by promoting an opposite view.

Example 26

However, different traditionality individuals have different cognition and reaction to social exchange
relations.

Article 2: 17 - 17 (0)

35
Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions
With a low percentage (13%) and being present in only 2 articles, this Step appears to be optional in
the introductions as well. Since counterclaiming could be perceived as having a very negative
connotation and therefore offensive, this situation might be related to cultural factors (Safnil, 2013;
Samraj, 2002; Loi & Evans, 2010).

4.2.2.3. LRM2 positive Steps for establishing the niche

M2S3 Asserting the relevancy of the surveyed claims and M2S4 Abstracting or synthesizing
knowledge claims appear in only one instance and respectively 3 instances in the literature reviews
and are absent in the introductions, which suggests not only that these Steps are optional, but also
using positive Steps to establish the niche is not common practice in the current research.

4.2.3. LRs Move 3 Occupying the niche

As aforementioned, M3 appears obligatory in this corpus and its main function is to introduce and
justify the articles’ theoretical positions/frameworks, present research aims and hypotheses. It may
appear in the initial position the thematic units, but it is most common in medial and final ones. The
most common steps are M3S1 Research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses and M3S2
Theoretical positions/theoretical framework (see figure 4.14), with M3S1 as an obligatory Step, being
present in all the articles, and M3S2 conventional, because is absent in A8. Yet, M3S2 has the highest
coverage (see figure 4.15).

Fig. 4.14 LRs M3 code frequency

36
Fig. 4.15 LRs M3 % code coverage

4.2.3.1. LRM3S1 Research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses

Being present in all the articles, this Step can be considered obligatory.

Corresponding to M3 Strategy A research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses in Kwan’s

(2006) model, this Step introduces the very purpose of conducting research being presented as the
logical conclusion of the argument developed in M1 and M2; there are identifiable sequences
involving this Step, i.e. M3S2 – M3S1, M2S4 – M3S1 and M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S1. The authors’
consistency in using formulaic language marking the boundary of this Step and the layout
conventions (labelling hypotheses H) facilitated its identification. The fixed expressions used are
usually causal discourse markers displaying the connections with the previous parts of the argument
(see Appendix 3, tables 9 and 11) and the authors of each article tended to use the same one in each
thematic unit. For example, A13 uses Therefore to introduce all 10 hypotheses. There is marked
presence of authorial voice (11 articles), usually the first-person plural pronoun we (see example 26
below), apart from A11, where our study correlated with a neutral verb, focuses, suggests an
interactional strategy. At the other end of the continuum, A2, A4, A8 and A13, use impersonal
constructions or meta-nouns to introduce the aims or hypotheses (see examples 27 below).

Example 26

Based on the above analysis, we propose:

H2. The relationship between holistic cognition frame and novelty-centered business model design is
inverse U-shaped.

Article 7: 22 - 23 (0)

Example 27

Thus, this study explores the process of trust evolution in entrepreneurial networks and the effects
of corporate governance on this process to broaden research perspectives regarding entrepreneurial
networks, inter-organizational trust and corporate governance.

37
Article 8: 14 - 14 (0)

The verbs used are neutral in meaning, such as propose (A2, A3, A5, A6, A7, A12, A14 and A15),
hypothesise (A4 and A9), posit (A9 and A10), focus (A11) and explore A(8), and are unhedged, except
for A1 and A4 (see example 27 ), where the claim is soften by using the weak verbs seek and
examine (see example 28).

Example 28

In this study, we seek to examine how the three types of transformational leadership affect follower
reactions differently.

Article 1: 9 - 9 (0)

This finding might seem surprising, as Lindenberg (2004) argues that authorial presence is closely
associated with hedging and Hyland (1196a, p. 257) points out that a strong commitment to a claim
might subject the authors to criticism in their academic community. Apart from possible cultural and
disciplinary factors, this situation could be explained by the high presence of hedging devices in
M2S4 and in M3S2 which usually precedes M3S1 in this study and prepares the ground for stating
the hypotheses; it might be assumed that the concepts and/or theoretical positions and frameworks
have already been validated, so a relatively strong commitment to the concepts or hypotheses
proposed might not be likely to be regarded as inappropriate.

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

LR M3S1 corresponds to IM3S1Announcing present research, which, with 80% frequency in the
corpus, appears to be conventional, fact supported by its relatively high coverage (30%) in the IM3
corpus as well (see figure 4.16).

Fig. 4.16 Is M3 % code coverage

38
In the introductions, M3S1 consists of short segments that briefly announce the main theoretical
framework and possibly the setting of the study, apart from A12 and A14 that have the same
function but also provide accounts of the theoretical aspects discussed in each thematic unit (see
example 29).

Example 29

This paper separates the parent firm from its subsidiaries and studies the effect of corporate
dispersion (measured by geographical dispersion and institutional dispersion, respectively) on tax
avoidance in a developing country: China.

Article 10, Pos. 3

4.2.3.2. LRM3S2 Theoretical positions/theoretical framework

With 86% frequency in the LR corpus, this Step can be considered conventional.

Corresponding to M3 Strategy 3B Announcing the theoretical position or the theoretical framework,

this Step is the final part of the line of reasoning developed in M1 and M2, i.e. a synthesis of all
theoretical and business-related aspects analysed and evaluated in a thematic unit. With 86%
frequency in the LR corpus, this Step can be considered conventional.

It is announced by linguistic clues such as causal discourse markers, authorial presence, references
to current study or simply suggesting occupying the niche, as in the example 30 below.

Example 30

We thus select intention to sacrifice as one of the major attitudinal outcomes of the three
transformational leadership types.

Article 1: 9 - 9 (0)

The use of hedging (see Appendix 3, table 8) confirms Lindenberg’s (2004) observation about its
association with self-mentions, as mitigation appears in claims associated with authorial presence
(see example 31), while in segments without the authors’ involvement is absent or even replaced by
positive evaluation language (see example 32).

Example 31

We speculated that small firms may, in fact, be encouraged to engage in unethical behaviors.

Article 4: 17 - 17 (0)

Example 32

As a result, the increase of market munificence provides greater room for the emergence of FUB.

Article 4: 21 - 21 (0)

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

39
In the introductions, this Step can also be considered conventional (66%) and displays the same
characteristics as in the literature review sections, being, in fact, a brief version of theoretical
position/theoretical framework that will be detailed in the LR (see example 33).

Example 33

In this study, we postulate that an important mechanism that explains the link between the different
team goal orientations and team performance in NPD[2].

IA 15, Pos. 8

4.2.3.3. M3S3 Significance/Justification

With a 26% frequency, this Step is optional in the literature reviews and it corresponds to M3S7
Significance/justification in Bunton’s (2002) model, consisting of brief segments justifying the choice
of the conceptual model. Justification is realised by pointing to the applicability and importance of
the concepts in the business world. Because they bear close resemblance to centrality claims in M1
but are in medial or final position in the text, following M3S1 or M3S2 whose rhetorical function
they help to achieve, these segments were coded as M3S3.

Comparison to the correspondent Step in the Introductions

Perhaps the low frequency of this Step in the literature reviews could be explained by its
promotional character (Lindenberg, 2004), making it more appropriate for introductions, where in
fact, has a coverage of 40% of the IM3 corpus and a frequency of 80%, being then a conventional
Step.

The linguistic clues aiding its identification are contribute and contribution (see example 33), while
the boundaries are signalled by meta-nouns, mainly this paper, this study, and this research, which
could be interpreted as the authors’ attempt to avoid strong attachment to the propositional
content. Yet, there is a high presence of authorial voice (we 19 and our 8) and a very low presence of
hedges (3 may). In the introductions, out of 12 articles containing this Step, only 3 (A2, A3, and A5,
example 2) do not contain self-mentions.

Example 33

In addition, another contribution of this paper is by introducing two new mechanisms from the
perspective of capital and product markets.

Article 5, Pos. 3

4.2.3.4. LRM3S4 Defining constructs used in the study

This Step is optional (33%) and it corresponds to Defining terms in Bunton’s model, where it is
occasionally present. It resembles M1S2.1 and M1S2.2 both linguistically and in terms of
propositional content, i.e. it defines concepts used in the study (see example 34). They were coded
as part of M3 because they appear in association with M3S2, contributing to the achievement of its
rhetorical function.

Example 34

40
Intention to sacrifice refers to the degree to which followers intend to show obedience and devotion
toward their leaders (Chen et al., 2009).

Article 1: 10 - 10 (0)

4.2.3.5. LRM3 S5 Announcing own research

An optional Step (25%) and a very low coverage, it consists of short statements announcing the
purpose of the study. They have not been coded as M3S1 for avoiding confusion, i.e. they lack the
repetitive character and the use of formulaic language characteristic to this M3S1 Research aims,
focuses, research questions or hypotheses (see example 35).

Example 35

Therefore, to ameliorate the bias of studies on Chinese executive pay, this paper addresses the role
of management ownership,

Article 14: 4 - 4 (0)

4.3. Final discussion

The aim of this study was to identify the rhetorical organisation of literature reviews in
Management research articles written by established Chinese authors and to compare it with the
way the introductions are organised if they are followed by literature reviews sections, i.e. how are
the rhetorical functions complementary in two sections and what the implications are.

The analysis revealed that while the introductions approximately follow the CARS model, the
literature reviews in this corpus have a more complex organisation. Move 1, establishing the
territory is conventional, while Move 2 Establishing a niche and Move 3 Occupying the niche are
obligatory. Kwan (2006) and Tseng (2018) also found that in their corpora these two Moves were the
most predominant and the most significant.

Both the introductions and the literature reviews in this corpus reflect the authors’ endeavour to
obtain acceptance and validation, but in different and complementary manners.

The relationship between them might be summarised as follows: the introductions follow a certain
prescribed rhetorical organisation based on established norms, accepted by the international
academic community, ensuring the publication of the articles and the authors’ participation in the
discourse. The literature reviews, on the other hand, display more complex but identifiable
structures, due to the fact that its main sections are clearly announced in the introductions. As a
result, the introductions establish the territory, which appears to be their prominent rhetorical
function, briefly announce the niche and how it is occupied, while the literature reviews detail the
gap and the authors’ concepts and theoretical frameworks.

Furthermore, Kwan (2006, 32) states as the main purpose of a literature review section to “justify
the value of the research” and this assumption seems to have influenced the rhetorical organisation

41
of the LR sections in this corpus as well. This is evident in the complexity of roles played by M2,
which, apart from establishing a niche, develops lines of reasoning meant to construct conceptual
and theoretical frameworks, and also attempts to prove the validity and the value of the research at
hand. Its pronounced promotional nature may be influenced by both disciplinary features, i.e. the
applied nature of the field which entails competitivity in the business world, and the rigour of
academic community, but further investigation is needed in this area, to take into account cultural,
disciplinary and contextual factors, ideally on a larger sample. M3 Occupying the niche, on the other
hand, plays a clearer role, i.e. to achieve the argument announced in the introduction and build in
the literature review and presents the hypotheses clearly and in detail, which is not possible in the
introduction due to its brevity. In conclusion, the main purposes of literature reviews in this corpus
can be considered creating and elaborating a niche for the authors’ topics, validate the concepts
and/or theoretical framework and promote the research.

The analytical framework and the findings of this study might be applicable to business research
contexts from other backgrounds or other applied sciences. Yet, the limited number of the articles in
the corpus and the very specific context, i.e. scholars affiliate to universities may limit the usefulness
of this research to similar contexts or might entail its transformation. A comparative study could
bring more clarity to these aspects, so, in future, if I continue this line of research, I would select
articles from the same discipline but from different national academic communities.

5. Conclusion
This study attempted to identify the rhetorical organisation of literature reviews of Management
research articles written by established scholars from mainland Chinese universities.

As their functions combine to achieve a higher purpose, i.e. to obtain validation from the academic
community, it can be inferred that the introductions and the literature reviews in the current study
are complementary: the former establish the territory, briefly announce the gap, and state the value
of the research, the latter have been found to play the main function of building the conceptual and
theoretical framework. Consequently, Move 1 plays a significant role in the introductions, but Move
2 and 3 are obligatory in the literature reviews. While the rhetorical functions of Move 3 are easily
identifiable, Move 2 has a more complex structure and fulfils more than one function: to establish a
niche, to develop an argument that gradually builds the conceptual and theoretical framework of
the study, and demonstrate the value of the current research. The most significant Step appears to
be Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a theoretical position or a theoretical
framework, which uses as basis the critical analysis and evaluation of theoretical and practical
knowledge in the field to achieve three main functions: gradually create a gap in research and in the
business world, develop core concepts and theoretical frameworks, and prove the value of the
research at hand, all combined in an intricate argument. Further studies might be needed to give a
more thorough account about the way this argument is built, for example by analysing the types of
appeals used in conjunction with stance markers.

The findings of this research might be useful to novice scholars in the Management field or they
might inform pedagogical practices for teaching the rhetorical structure of literature review sections
at a tertiary level. Also, the analytical framework could be used for the analysis of literature review
sections of Management research articles in other discourse communities or it might be adapted for
other disciplines. However, it needs validation in studies with a larger number of articles.

42
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Appendix 1 Samples coded documents

Sample 1 Introduction A9 coded document in MAXQDA

50
 1 1.
2 Enterprises can no longer meet the needs of technological innovation which
..M1S2.2 Making topic generali
3 The government would adopt various national policies and network R&D
..M2S1.2 Indicating a probl
..M1S1.2 Claiming importa
4 In an imperfect market system, R&D network is far from being stable due to
..M2S1.2 Indicating a problem
..M1S2.1 Terminology/defin
..M1S2.2 Making topic gen
..M2S1.2 Indicating a probl
..M3S2Theoretical position
5 Existing studies are generally focused on the relationship between
..M1S2.2 Making topic generali
..M2S1.1 Indicating a gap i
..M2S1.2 Indicating a probl
6 We integrate risk conduction theory and government intervention theory to
..M3S2Theoretical position/the
Introduction
pulls them back in the race for competitiveness (Powell et al., 1996). R&D
network provides opportunities for combined innovative efforts which would
be unattainable without collaborations (Fjeldstad and Snow, 2012). It is a
group of contractually and relationally interconnected organizations to jointly
accomplish multiple R&D projects and create new products or services,
including enterprises, research institutions and universities, governments,
financial institutions and intermediaries (Arranz and Arroyabe, 2007; Biggiero
and Angelini, 2015; Lee and Kim, 2016).
alliances to catch up in technological innovation (Pavitt, 1976; Yu, 2011; Kwak
et al., 2011). Especially, newly industrializing and developing nations have
been creating governmental intervention to accelerate IT innovation within
their borders (King et al., 1994). For China as a developing country with a weak
base of technology the government has to take the lead in technology
innovation (Wang and Kim, 2007; Li and Kai, 2012; Liu et al., 2013).
Additionally, in the period of market economy transformation, market
contract rules have not yet reached the level of completeness. The
transaction costs and risks are high during R&D collaborations. It is very
difficult for enterprises to establish trust based on the spirit of market
contract, which cannot contribute to technological catch-up. Therefore, the
degree of government intervention can be vital in supporting R&D and
innovation (Arrow, 1962).
dynamic external environment, loosely coupled coalitions and other elements
of relational and contractual complexity (Yami and Nemeh, 2014; Ritala et al.,
2017). Thus, numerous risks, such as economic, social and collaborative risks,
are easily triggered (Fang et al., 2012). Moreover, risks are not independent or
static but interact and propagate through collaborative relationships (Gurnani
et al., 2011). In other words, if enterprises cannot timely deal with
malfunctions and are not able to bear losses caused by risks, these risks
trigger some other potential risks on partners through influencing cooperative
activities similar to a reaction chain (Fang et al., 2012). This phenomenon is
referred as risk propagation (Zhang and Yang, 2013). It is pertinent to note
that a specified risk brings about additional impact of subsequent other risks
and may cause substantial damages due to the phenomenon. Hence, it is
necessary to investigate what factors influence risk propagation (Sodhi and
Chopra, 2004). We conduct this study based on the perspective of risk
receiver.
government intervention and innovation performance. Some researchers
have different views. Motohashi and Yun (2007), Wei and Liu (2015), and Wang
(2010) found that government intervention positively influences innovation
performance. Mayra and Joel (2012) considered that R&D subsidy could even
hurt the subsidized firm under some conditions. However, Wang (2010), Li and
Wang (2010), and Epstein (2013) indicated that the positive impact of
government intervention on innovation has certain uncertainties. The
relationship is nonlinear. To our knowledge, previous literature is replete with
numerical simulation studies that point out the disciplines and critical
influencing factors of risk propagation in R&D networks (Zhang and Yang,
2013; Zhang and Yang, 2014; Liu et al., 2017). Empirical study on government
intervention and risk propagation is still dearth. Therefore, it is essential to
explore how government intervention influences the possibility of risk
propagation in R&D networks.
propose a theoretical framework and test these conjectures through

1/2

Sample 2 Introduction Article 9 code hierarchy

51
Sample 3 Literature Review Article 13 code hierarchy

Sample 4 Literature Review Article 13 coded document in MAXQDA

52
53
54
55
 Appendix 2 Method
Appendix 2 A Tables
Table 1 Research Articles Structure
Code A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 TOT
System AL
Section 1 10 10 15 10 12 11 15 8% 11 12 12 18 14 16 14 12%
Introducti % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
on
Section2 39 37 27 30 25 40 39 19 34 15 35 30 30 20 29 30%
Literature % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
Review
Section 3 14 19 18 7% 24 28 16 11 21 14 13 13 22 17 16%
Methods % % % % % % % % % % % % %
Section 4 10 21 14 16 18 6% 44 17 9% 18 12 19 8% 10 15%
Results % % % % % % % % % % %
Section 5 21 28 20 19 32 14 15 10 22 14 16 22 18 20 25 19%
Discussion % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
/
Discussion
and
conclusion
/limitation
s

Other 25 10 2%
sections % %
WHOLE 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
TEXT % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
(34, (47, (40, (56, (33, (53, (46, (61, (41, (49, (48, (40, (38, (42, (49, (684
790 202 755 567 052 608 944 504 950 257 957 306 041 200 561 ,694
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Table 2 Thematic units in LRs in corpus

Column1 Frequency Percentage Percentage (valid)

56
 Thematic unit 1 15 100.00 100.00

Thematic unit 2 14 93.33 93.33

Thematic unit 3 9 60.00 60.00

Introduction 6 40.00 40.00

Thematic unit 4 5 33.33 33.33

Thematic unit 5 1 6.67 6.67

Thematic unit 6 1 6.67 6.67

DOCUMENTS with 15 100.00 100.00

code(s)

ANALYZED DOCUMENTS 15 100.00 -

Table 3 Articles in the study

No. Title Author(s) Publisher Year Word
count
1. Group-and individual-focused Yanyu Chen, Yi- Chinese Management Studies, 2019 4992
transformational leadership A scenario ChiehLin, Miao-SuiHsu 1750-614X
study based on a new typology and Yi-HsinLin DOI 10.1108/CMS-11-2017-
0330

2. Narcissistic leadership and voice behavior: Zhu Yao, Xianchun Chinese Management Studies, 2019 7428
the role of job stress, traditionality, and Zhang, Zhenxuan Liu, Lili 1750-614X
trust in leaders Zhang and Jinlian Luo DOI 10.1108/CMS-11-2018-
0747

3. R&D volatility and market value: the role of XimingYin, JinChen, Chinese Management Studies, 2019 6888
executive overconfidence Benlu Hai and Qingzhu 1750-614X
Gao DOI 10.1108/CMS-05-2019-
0170

4. Product market competition, market Jingbo Yuan, Zhimin Chinese Management Studies, 2019 9325
munificence and firms’ unethical behavior Zhou, Nan Zhou and Ge 13(2), 468-488. 1750-614X
Zhan DOI 10.1108/CMS-06-2018-
0569

5. The transformation effect of R&D subsidies Fengrong Wang, Yafei Li Chinese Management Studies, 2019 8978
on firm performance. An empirical study and Jinping Sun 1750-614X
based on signal financing and innovation DOI 10.1108/CMS-02-2019-
incentives 0045

6. The interplay of external ties and internal Jiangfeng Ye, Yunqiao Chinese Management Studies, 2019 7097
knowledge base Implications for radical Wu, Bin Hao and 13(4), 778-801. 1750-614X
innovation in China’s university spin-offs Zusheng Chen DOI 10.1108/CMS-06-2018-
0551

57
7. Does holistic cognition frame Yong Wu, Linqian Zhang Chinese Management Studies, 2019 6878
always promote business Zelong Wei and Mingjun 13(4), 840-859.
model design? Hou 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-06-2018-
0565

8. Corporate governance and Shiquan Wang, Guoyin Chinese Management Studies, 8786
evolution of trust in Shang and Shuang
entrepreneurial networks Zhang
A case study of NVC Lighting Holding Ltd.
9. Suppressing risk propagation in Yue Song, Naiding Yang, Chinese Management Studies, 2019 6017
R&D networks: the role of Yanlu Zhang and Jingbei 13(4), 1019-1043
government intervention Wang 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-07-2018-
0621

10. Corporate dispersion and Kun Su, Bin Li and Chen Chinese Management Studies, 2019 7520
tax avoidance Ma 13(3), 706-732.
1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-04-2018-
0497

11. Are teams experiencing Ling Yuan, Chinese Management Studies, 2019 7224
relationship conflicts Yue Yu and 14(1), 235-256.
destined to fail Pan Liu 1750-614X
The role of emotions and work engagement DOI 10.1108/CMS-03-2018-
0455

12. Government R&D subsidies, Ping Deng, Hao Lu, Jin Chinese Management Studies, 2019 5929
intellectual property rights Hong, Qiong Chen and 13(2), 363-378.
protection and innovation Yang Yang 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-02-2018-
0422

13. Why do some SMEs explore more Hong Hu, Qiang Wang Chinese Management Studies, 2019 5589
while others exploit further? and Jixiang Chen 13(2), 379-396.
Evidence from Chinese SMEs 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-12-2017-
0358

14. The underlying mechanism of Caiyu Yan, Hongqu He, Chinese Management Studies, 2019 6257
corporate governance in China Juan Li, Shuang Cheng 13(2), 447-467.
and Yanjun Zhang 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-10-2016-
0202

15. Goal orientations, absorptive Haishan Liang, Wei Sun, Chinese Management Studies, 2019 7434
capacity, and NPD team M.M. Fonseka and Feng 13(2), 489-510.
performance: evidence from China Zhou 1750-614X
DOI 10.1108/CMS-01-2018-
0389

Total length 106342

Table 4 Examples of authorial presence in M3S2

58
 Examples of authorial presence in M3S2
In this study, we adopt this perspective to consider transformational leadership as either group-focused or A1 we
individual-focused.
Thus, we developed a typology that combines the different degrees of the two foci into a 2 × 2 matrix A1 we
Here, in this paper, we apply the dynamic perspective of R&D expenditure research (Mudambi and Swift, 2014; A3 we
Stadler, 1991
As indicated above, we speculated that the properties of product market competition may be a critical driver A4 we
of firms’ involvement
context. We speculated that small firms may, in fact, be encouraged to engage in unethical behaviors A4 We
In a performance-oriented industrial context, we speculate that the firms’ unethical choices will be less A4 we
constrained by competition
First, we discuss the signal financing mechanism A5 we
Second, we discuss the innovation incentive mechanism. A5 we
In this study, we draw on social network theory and KBV to develop our theoretical framework. A6 we
We also propose that the positive effect of holistic cognition frame on novelty-centered business model design A7 We
may be
Therefore, we categorize anti-risk ability into risk perception ability and transformation ability. A9 we
Based on the mechanism of risk propagation, we conclude that risk attributes and anti-risk ability are the A9 we
determinants of risk
From the information asymmetry perspective, we argue that dispersed firms may engage in fewer tax A 10 we
avoidance activities than stand-alone firms
Based upon the aforementioned relationship between relationship conflict, work engagement, and emotions, A 11 we
we propose that relationship conflict could
We, therefore, assert that the interaction effect of IPR protection and GRSs strengthens enterprises in terms of A 12 We
appropriate
Thus, in this paper, we choose absorbed and unabsorbed slack as the antecedents and try to find their A 13 we
relationships with
Therefore, we can predict that higher- quality board governance is characterized by a higher proportion of A14 we
independent directors, which is
Similarly, we expect that to accomplish the objective of stellar performance, teams with a high prove A15 we
orientation will exhibit greater
Similarly, we argue that greater levels of team absorptive capacity – which implies an enhanced ability to A15 we
generate novel combinations of
we posit that it is important to understand the role that team absorptive capacity might play as a A15 we

Appendix 2B Figures

59
(Swales, 1990, p. 141)

Fig. 1. Swales’ CARS model

60
(Bunton, 2002, p. 74)

Fig. 2 Bunton’s model

Move 1 Establishing one part of the territory of one’s own research by

Strategy A# surveying the non-research-related phenomena or knowledge claims

Strategy B# claiming centrality

Strategy C surveying the research-related phenomena

Move 2 Creating a research niche (in response to Move 1) by:

Strategy A counter-claiming

Strategy B gap-indicating

Strategy C asserting confirmative claims about knowledge or research practices

surveyed

Strategy D asserting the relevancy of the surveyed claims to one’s own research

Strategy E abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a theoretical

position or a

theoretical framework

61
 Move Occupying the research niche by announcing:
3(optional)

Strategy A research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses *

Strategy B theoretical positions/theoretical frameworks *

Strategy C research design/processes *

Strategy D interpretations of terminology used in the thesis *

Kwan (2006, p. 51)

Fig. 3 Kwan’s model

Introductions Code System

Move 1: Establishing a territory

M1S1 Claiming centrality

M1S1.1 Claiming importance in the Research World

Example: Within the corporate governance research,

management governance is an important issue that has been
studied extensively. A14

M1S1.2 Claiming importance in the Real World

Example: In recent years, enterprises have recognized the

importance of employee voice behavior to obtain useful
information, enhance organizational flexibility and innovation
ability. A2

M1S2 Developing concepts

M1S2.1 Terminology/definitions

Example: University spin-offs can be defined as firms initiated

within a university setting and based on technology derived from
university research aiming at commercializing ideas based on
scientific discoveries and inventions. A6

M1S2.2 Making topic generalizations

Example: Punctual equilibrium theory argues that firm value is

affected by not only R&D expenditure itself but also the degree
of its volatility. A3

Move 2: Establishing a niche

M2S1 Indicating a gap

M2S1.1 Indicating a gap in research

Example: However, there is no any prior study investigating

these explanatory mechanisms empirically. A15

M2S1.2 Indicating a problem or need (in the real world)

62
 Example: Hence, it is unclear whether the conflicting effects of
management governance can be generalized to China because
of the unique characteristics of Chinese listed firms. A14

M2S2 Question-raising

Example: Therefore, a few questions have emerged in the Chinese market. What are
the effects of managerial equity incentives on Chinese listed firms with limited
experience in the stock market? What are the impacts of other governance
mechanisms on equity incentives? A14

M2S3 Counter-claiming

Example: Although extant literature urges firms to adopt holistic cognition frame to
promote the creation of new business model, our findings suggest that too higher
holistic cognition frame may reversely constrain the creation of new business models,
especially for established firms. A7

M2S4 Abstracting and synthesising knowledge claims

Example: If the negative emotions induced by relationship conflicts with coworkers

could not be well dredged, emotion rule dissonance increases, which affects the quality
of service provided and customers’ positive emotional experience and finally destroys
performance. A11

Move 3: Occupying the niche

M3S1 Announcing present research

Example: This paper introduces the contingency factor of executive overconfidence and
examines its moderating effect on the relationships between R&D volatilities and
market value. A3

M3S2Theoretical position/theoretical framework

Example: We then build on our typology to theorize how the three types distinctively
affect followers’ reactions, including intention to sacrifice, cognitive trust of supervisor
and affective liking. A1

M3S3Announcing principal findings

Example: Our findings support the argument that R&D subsidies stimulate firm
performance. Further, by applying mediation effect models, we find that R&D subsidies
boost firm performance through signal financing and innovation incentives.A5

MS4 Significance/justification/stating the value of current research

Example: This study makes the following contributions to extant literature… A11

M3S5 Indicating RA structure

Example: The article is organized as follows: In Section 2, we introduce the background

of China’s institutional setting and develop our hypothesis. The research design is
presented in Section 3, and the empirical findings and results of supplementary tests
are reported in Section 4. In Section 5, we discuss the implications. A10

M3S6 Limitations of the study

63
 Example: … however, the moderator role they play warrants comprehensive
examination. A2

(Swales, 1990, p. 141; Kwan, 2006, p. 51)

Fig. 4 Analytical approach for introductions

Move 1 Establishing a territory

Step 1 Claiming centrality, Bunton (2002); Kwan 2006;
Step 2 Making topic generalizations and giving background information; Bunton (2002);
Step 3 Defining terms, Bunton (2002);
Definition of the main concept(s);
Definition of the constituent parts of the main concept(s);
Step 4 Reviewing previous research, Bunton (2002)/ surveying the non-research-related phenomena or knowledge
claims, Kwan (2006);

Move 2 Establishing a niche

Step 1 A Indicating a gap in research, Bunton (2002)/gap-indicating, Kwan (2006);
Step 1 B Indicating a problem or need, Bunton (2002);
Step 2 Making confirmative claims, Kwan (2006);
Step 3 Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a theoretical position or a theoretical framework, Kwan
(2006);
Step 4 Asserting the relevancy of surveyed claims to one’s research, Kwan, (2006);

Move 3 Occupying the niche

Step 1 Describing the research model, Kwan (2012);
S1.1 Justification of the research model;
Step 2 Introducing variables, Kwan, (2012);
Step 3 Declaring a hypothesis, Kwan (2012)/research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses, Kwan
(2006)/purposes, aims or objectives, Bunton (2002);
Step 4 Outlining the structure of the paper, Swales (2004);
Step 5 Theoretical positions/theoretical frameworks, Kwan (2006)/theoretical position, Bunton (2002);
Fig. 5 Preliminary analysis analytical framework

64
 Move 1 Establishing a territory
Step 1 Claiming centrality
S1.1 Claiming importance in the Research World
S1.2 Claiming importance in the Real World
Step 2 Developing core concept(s) or theoretical framework
S2.1 Defining core concept(s)
S2.2 Defining constituent parts of the core concept(s)
S2.3 Making topic generalizations and giving background information
Step 3 Reviewing previous research

Move 2 Establishing a niche

S1 Indicating a gap
S1.1 Indicating a gap in research
S1.2 Indicating a problem or need (in the real world)
S2 Asserting confirmative claims about knowledge or research practices surveyed
S3 Asserting the relevancy of the surveyed claims to one’s own research
S4 Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims to establish a theoretical position or a theoretical framework
S5 Counterclaiming

Move 3 Occupying the niche

S1 Research aims, focuses, research questions or hypotheses
S2 Theoretical positions/theoretical framework
S3 Significance/Justification
S4 Defining constructs used in the study
S5 Announcing own research
The step and sub-steps in italics were introduced by the author.

(Bunton, 2002; Kwan, 2006, 2012; Samraj, 2002)

Fig.6 Pilot analysis analytical framework

Appendix 3 Results and discussion

Table 1 Thematic units in LRs in corpus
Column1 Frequency Percentage Percentage (valid)

Thematic unit 1 15 100.00 100.00

Thematic unit 2 14 93.33 93.33

Thematic unit 3 9 60.00 60.00

Introduction 6 40.00 40.00

Thematic unit 4 5 33.33 33.33

Thematic unit 5 1 6.67 6.67

Thematic unit 6 1 6.67 6.67

DOCUMENTS with code(s) 15 100.00 100.00

DOCUMENTS without 0 0.00 -

code(s)

ANALYZED DOCUMENTS 15 100.00 -

65
Table 2 Literature Reviews thematic units % code coverage
Literature Reviews thematic units % code coverage
Code A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A A11 A A A A TOT
Syste 10 12 13 14 15 AL
m
Introd 41 27 25 9% 2% 22 9%
uctory % % % %
sectio
n
Thema 29 47 37 24 54 11 28 10 9% 32 25 37 31 53 14 31%
tic unit % % % % % % % 0% % % % % % %
1
Thema 18 22 36 28 46 9% 14 21 26 74 62 31 46 14 29%
tic unit % % % % % % % % % % % % %
2
Thema 12 22 23 25 30 30 39 16 22 16%
tic unit % % % % % % % % %
3
Thema 9% 16 28 39 50 11%
tic unit % % % %
4
Thema 15 2%
tic unit %
5
Thema 15 2%
tic unit %
6
WHOL 100 100 100 100 10 100 100 10 100 10 100 100 100 10 100 100
E TEXT % % % % 0% % % 0% % 0% % % % 0% % %
(13, (17, (10, (16, (8, (21, (18, (8, (14, (7, (17, (11, (11, (8, (14, (199
466 595 921 892 14 557 078 03 391 58 086 968 438 38 439 ,979
) ) ) ) 9) ) ) 1) ) 0) ) ) ) 8) ) )

Table 3 LRs corpus Moves and steps per article

Article 1
Thematic 1
units
Moves M2S2.1 – M1S2.2 – M2S4 – M3S2 – M2S4 – M2S1.1 – M3S2 – M3S1 – M2S4 – M3S1 – M3S2 – M2S4 –M3S2 - M2S4 –
and M3S2 – M3S4 – M2S4 –M3S2 – M2S4 –M3S2 – M3S1 – M2S4 – M3S2 –M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S1 – M3S4 – M3S2 – M2S4 –
steps M3S2 – M3S1
Moves M2 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 - M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 - M2 – M3 – M2 - M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 - M2 - M3
Article 2
Thematic 1 2 3 4
units
Moves M1S2.1 – M1S2.2 – M1S2.3 M1S2.1 – M2S4 – M3S1 M1S2.1 – M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M2S4 – M3S1
and – M2S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S1 – M2S5 – M2S4 – M3S1
Steps M2S5 – M2S4 – M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 M1 – M2 – M3 M1 – M2 – M3 M2 – M3
Article 3
Thematic 1 2 3
units
Moves and M1S1.1 – M1S2.3 – M1S2.1 M2S4 – M3S1 – M2S4 – M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S1 –
Steps – M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S4 M3S1 M2S4 – M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
Article 4
Thematic 1
units
Moves and M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S2 – M2S4 – M3S2 - M2S4 – M2S4 – M3S2 - M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S1 - M2S4 –
Steps M3S3 – M2S1.1 – M3S3 – M3S2- M2S4 – M3S2 - M3S2- M2S4 – M3S2 - M3S2 - M2S4 – M3S2 –
M1S2.1 – M2S4 – M2S1.1 – M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S1 M3S1
M3S2 – M2S4 – M3S2

66
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 M2 - M3 - M2 - M3 - M2 - M2 - M3 - M2 - M3 - M2 - M3- M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
– M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 - M2 - M3 M3 - M2 - M3
M3
Article 5
Thematic 1 2
units
Moves and M1S1.2 – M1S2.3 – M2S1.1 M1S2.3 – M2S1.2 – M3S3 -
Steps – M3S2 – M2S4 – M3S2 – M3S2 – M2S4 - M3S2 –
M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S2 – M2S4 –
M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 M1 – M2 – M3
– M2 – M3
Article 6
Thematic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
units
Moves M2S4 – M2S4 – M1S2.1 – M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M2S4 –
and M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 – M2S4 – M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
steps M2S4 – M3S2 M3S2 – M3S4 M2S1.2 – M3S1 M3S2 – M3S1
– M3S5 – M2S1.2 M2S4 –
M2S1.2
Moves M2 – M3 M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 M2 – M3 M2 – M3 M2 – M3 M2 – M3
M2
Article 7
Thematic 1 2 3 4
units
Moves M1S2.3 – M1S2.3 – M2S4 – M3S2 M2S4 – M3S1
and M2S1.1 – M1S1.2 – – M2S4 – – M3S2 –
steps M3S3 M2S1.1 – M3S1 – M2S4 M2S4 –
M1S2.3 – – M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
M2S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S2 –
M3S2 M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
M2S4 – M3S2 –
M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
M3S1 M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 - M3 M1 – M2 – M2 – M3 – M2 M2 – M3 –
M1 – M2 – – M3 – M2 – M2 – M3 –
M3 M3 M2 – M3
Article 8
Thematic 1
units
Moves M1S2.3 –
and M1S1.1 –
steps M1S2.1 –
M1S2.3 –
M2S1.2 –
M1S1.1 –
M1S2.3 –
M1S2.2 –
M1S2.3 –
M2S1.1 –
M2S4 –
M2S1.1 –
M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 –
M1 – M2 –
M3
Article 9
Thematic 1 2 3 4
units
Moves M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S2 M3S2 – M2S4 M2S4 – M2S2
and M1S2.2 – – M3S4 – – M3S1 – – M3S2 –
steps M1S2.1 – M3S2 M2S4 – M3S2 M3S1 - M2S4
M1S2.2 – M1S2.2 – – M2S2 –
M1S1.2 – M3S2 – M3S1
M2S4 – M2S2 - M2S4 –
– M3S1 – M2S2 – M3S2
M2S4 – M2S2 – M3S1 -
– M3S2 – M2S4 – M2S2
M3S1 – M3S2 –
M3S1 – M3S2

67
Moves M1 M2 – M3 M3 – M2 – M3 M2 – M3 - M2
– M2 – M3 – – M3 - M2 –
M1 – M2 – M3 M3 - M2 – M3
– M2 – M3
Article 10
Thematic 1 2
units
Moves M1S2.3 – M1S1.2 –
and M2S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
steps M2S2 – M2S4 –M3S2
M1S2.3 – – M2S4 –
M2S1.2 M3S2 – M2S4
–M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 –
M1 – M1 M3 – M2 –
M3 – M2 - M3
Article 11
Thematic 1 2 3 4 5 6
units
Moves M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S2 M2S4 – M3S2 M2S4 – M3S2 M2S4 – M3S2 M3S5 – M3S4
and – M2S4 - M2S4 – – M2S4 – – M2S4 –
steps M3S2 – M3S1 M3S1 M3S2 – M2S4
– M3S1
Moves M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 M2 – M3 M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 M3 – M2 –
M2 M2 – M3 – M3 M3 – M2 –
M3
Article 12
Thematic 1 2
units
Moves M1S1.1 – M2S4 –
and M1S1.2 – M2S1.2 –
steps M2S1.2 – M2S4 –
M2S3 – M1S1.2 –
M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S2
M2S4 – M2S4 –
M2S1.2 –
M3S2 – M3S1
– M2S4 –
M3S3 – M2S4
– M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M2 – M1 –
M1 – M2 M2 – M3 –
M2 – M3 –
M2 – M3
Article 13
Thematic 1 2 3 4
units
Moves M1S2.1 – M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S1
and M1S2.2 – - M2S4 – - M2S4 – - M2S4 –
steps M2S4 – M3S2 M3S1 - M2S4 M3S1 - M2S4 M3S1 – M3S2
– M2S4 – M3S1 - – M3S1 -
M2S4 – M3S1 M2S4 – M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 M2 – M3 –
M3 – M2 M2 – M3 – – M3 – M2 – M2 – M3
M2 – M3 – M3 – M2 – M3
M2 – M3
Article 14
Thematic 1 2
units
Moves M1S1.2 – M2S4 – M3S1
and M2S1.1 – – M2S4 –
steps M2S1.2 – M3S2 – M3S1
M2S4 – M3S5
– M3S3 –
M3S5 – M2S4
– M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M2 – M3 –
M3 – M2 – M2 – M3
M3
Article 15

68
 Thematic 1 2 3
units
Moves M1S2.1 – M3S5 – M2S4 M2S4 – M3S1
and M1S2.2 – – M3S2 – – M2S4 –
steps M2S4 M2S4 M3S2 – M2S4
– M3S1 –
M2S4 – M3S1
– M2S4 –
M3S2 – M2S4
– M3S1 –
M2S4 – M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 M3 – M2 – M2 – M3 – M2
M3 – M2 – M3 - M2 –
M3 – M2 – M3
– M2 – M3 –
M2 – M3 – M2
– M3

Table 4 Introductions Moves and steps per article

Article 1
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M3S2 - M3S1 – M3S4
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M3
Article 2
Moves M1S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M3S2 - M2S4 - M3S2 - M3S6 – M3S4
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M1 - M3 – M2 – M3
Article 3
Moves M1S2.2 - M1S1.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 – M3S4 - M3S4 - M3S1
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M3
Article 4
Moves M1S1.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S1.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S4 - M3S2 - M3S1 - M1S2.1 - M3S2 - M3S5 - M3S5
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 - M3 – M1 – M3
Article 5
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 - M2S1.1 - M2S3 – M3S4 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 - M3S3
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
Article 6
Moves M1S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M3S1 - M3S1 - M1S2.1 - M1S1.2 - M2S4 - M2S1.2 - M3S2
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 -M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M3
Article 7
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M1S2.2 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M3S2 – M3S4 - M2S3 –
and Steps M3S4

Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M3
Article 8
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M1S2.2 - M3S1 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.1 - M3S5
and Steps
Moves M1- M2 – M1 – M3 - M1 – M3
Article 9
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S1.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M3S2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S2
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M1 – M3
Article 10
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 - M1S2.2 - M2S4 - M3S1 – M3S4 - M2S1.1 -
and Steps M2S1.1 - M2S4 – M3S4 - M3S2 - M3S5
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
Article 11
Moves M1S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S4 - M3S1 – M3S4 - M2S1.1 – M3S4
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
Article 12
Moves M1S2.2 - M2S2 - M3S1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M2S1.1 - M3S1 - M3S1 - M3S1 - M3S3 – M3S4 - M3S5
and Steps

69
 Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M3
Article 13
Moves M1S2.2 - M1S2.1 - M2S2 - M3S1 - M2S4 - M3S2 – M3S4 - M2S1.2 - M3S2 - M3S3 – M3S4 - M3S2 – M3S4 - M3S5
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3
Article 14
Moves M1S1.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M3S2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S2 - M3S1 - M3S1 – M3S4
and Steps
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M1 – M2 – M3
Article 15
Moves M1S1.2 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.2 - M3S1 - M2S4 - M3S2 - M1S2.1 - M1S2.2 - M2S1.1 - M2S1.2 - M3S2 - M2S4 - M3S2 – M3S4 -
and Steps M2S4 - M3S1
Moves M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M1 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3 – M2 – M3

Table 5 Literature reviews Corpus % Code Coverage

Literature reviews Corpus % Code Coverage
Code A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A1 A A A A1 A TOT
System 0 11 12 13 4 15 AL
M1
Establishin
ga
territory
M1S1
Claiming
centrality
M1S1.2 1% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 3% 7% 5% 1%
Claiming
importance
in the Real
World
M1S1.1 2% 5% 1% 0%
Claiming
importance
in the
Research
World
M1S2
Developing
core
concept(s)
or
theoretical
framework
M1S2.3 6% 2% 11 31 58 15 8%
Making % % % %
topic
generalizat
ions
M1S2.2 6% 4% 9% 11 2% 9% 3%
Defining %
constituent
parts of the
core
concept(s)
M1S2.1 3% 11 2% 2% 3% 9% 1% 2% 5% 3%
Defining %
core
concept(s)
M2
Establishin
g a niche

70
M2S1
Indicating a
gap
M2S1.2 2% 2% 15 11 4% 36 5% 4% 5%
Indicating a % % %
problem or
need (in
the real
world)
M2S1.1 2% 2% 1% 5% 7% 2% 1%
Indicating a
gap in
research
M2S2 4% 2% 0%
Asserting
confirmativ
e claims
about
knowledge
M2S3 4% 0%
Asserting
the
relevancy
of the
surveyed
claims
M2S4 53 63 75 54 64 73 37 4% 53 32 82 73 80 71 68 60%
Abstracting % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
or
synthesizin
g
knowledge
claims
M2S5 3% 0%
Counterclai
ming
M3
Occupying
the niche
M3S1 7% 8% 5% 9% 2% 3% 4% 2% 13 3% 6% 4% 8% 7% 6% 6%
Research %
aims,
focuses,
research
questions
or
hypotheses
M3S2 25 4% 26 11 2% 8% 10 3% 7% 3% 3% 4% 6% 8%
Theoretical % % % %
positions/t
heoretical
framework
M3S3 3% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0%
Significanc
e/Justificat
ion
M3S4 4% 2% 1% 4% 1% 1%
Defining
constructs
used in the
study

71
 M3S5 1% 1% 3% 1% 0%
Announcin
g own
research
WHOLE 100 100 100 100 10 100 100 100 100 10 100 100 100 10 100 100
TEXT % % % % 0% % % % % 0% % % % 0% % %
(13, (17, (10, (16, (8, (21, (18, (11, (14, (7, (17, (11, (11, (8, (14, (20
511 595 958 944 19 602 171 444 472 65 180 992 474 43 558 4,18
) ) ) ) 2) ) ) ) ) 4) ) ) ) 9) ) 6)

Table 6 Examples of boosters and hedges in LRs M1S1 Claiming centrality

Boosters – black font bold

Hedges – red font bold

Example
Traditionality is one of the most crucial value variables to restrain Chinese people. Individuals with different levels of
traditionality display great differences in attitudes and behavior patterns (Farh et al., 1997).
Article 2: 16 - 16 (0)

Geographical dispersion is becoming an important decision for firms seeking sustained development due to the rise of
highly incomplete markets, complex divisions of labor, and rare economic resources.
Article 10: 9 - 9 (0)
Risk perception is a key component in encouraging protective action (Lindell and Perry, 2012).Article 9: 15 - 15 (0)
As noted in Figure 1, the government is one of the determinants for R&D.Article 9: 3 - 3 (0)
Traditionality is one of the most crucial value variables to restrain Chinese people. Individuals with different levels of
traditionality display great differences in attitudes and behavior patterns (Farh et al., 1997).
Article 2: 16 - 16 (0)
…overconfidence […] plays an essential role in the innovation process (Galasso and Simcoe, 2011; Hirshleifer et al.,
2012).
Article 3: 10 - 10 (0)
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that FUB could actually help firms to reduce costs, and attract
consumers, thereby achieving competitive advantage and increasing profitability (Haberstroh et al., 2017; Kim et al.,
2018).
Article 4: 2 - 2 (0)
Innovation is vital to firm growth and economic development (Arrow, 1962; Romer, 1990; Howell, 2017; Acemoglu et
al., 2018).
Article 5: 3 - 3 (0)
With China’s rapid economic growth and capital market development, significant attention has been devoted to the
examination of Chinese executive pay and corporate governance in recent years (Chen et al., 2010; Shen and Lin, 2009).
A significant positive relationship between executive pay and firm performance has been documented in the literature
on Chinese executive compensation (Firth et al., 2010; Wang and Xiao, 2011). Article 14: 3 - 3 (0)
GRSs encourage enterprises to increase innovation R&D investment and save private R&D investment to address the
positive externality of innovation achievement as public goods (Arrow, 1972; Aschhoff, 2009; Özçelik and Taymaz,
2008). Article 12: 3 - 3 (0)
Overall, IPR protection is a vital component in improving the innovation performance of high-tech enterprises in
emerging economies, whether in the R&D stage or the post-R&D stage.
Article 12: 12 - 12 (0)

Table 7 M3S2 Examples of Move boundaries after LR M2S4

it is high than low. Article 9: 22 - 22 (0)
lustrated in Figure 1. Article 13: 30 - 30 (0)
affective liking. Article 1: 15 - 15 (0)
our theoretical framework. Article 6: 2 - 2 (0)
incremental innovations: Article 12: 14 - 14 (0)
Therefore, the relationships between the probability of
Therefore, we can predict that higher- quality
Therefore, we expect authentic transformational leaders to
Therefore, we identify two types of informal
Thus, in this paper, we choose absorbed

72
 and affective liking. Article 1: 9 - 9 (0)
than possible losses. Article 4: 21 - 21 (0)
or individual-focused. Article 1: 5 - 5 (0)
leadership types. Article 1: 9 - 9 (0)
trust of supervisor: Article 1: 13 - 13 (0)
their work engagement. Article 11: 28 - 28 (0)
logic of this article. Article 4: 4 - 4 (0)
to engage in FUB. Article 4: 16 - 16 (0)
ethical standards could be remarkably lower.
must consider in their decision-making.
through partnership. Article 9: 18 - 18 (0)
Table 8 Hedges in LR M3S2 Theoretical positions/theoretical framework
the properties of product market competition
. Article 4: 6 - 6 (0) We speculate that there
on novelty-centered business model design
connection system and routine system, which
perspective, we argue that dispersed firms
. Article 10: 16 - 16 (0) Thus, dispersed firms
\x92 affective and cognitive influences
both cognitive and affective influences
context. We speculated that small firms
age in FUB. Article 4: 16 - 16 (0) Hence, they
leaders who affect followers by cognition
unethical behavior, and their ethical standards
Article 1: 10 - 10 (0) We contend that leaders
, we propose that relationship conflict
the role that team absorptive capacity
Article 4: 7 - 7 (0) Therefore, firms are more
rticle 10: 17 - 17 (0) Therefore, emotions are
with great competition pressure are more
. In this case, firms are more
Table 9 Examples of M3S1 boundaries after LR M2S4
Article 14: 13 - 15 (0)
We thus select intention to sacrifice as
Thus, we believe that FUB under such
Thus, we developed a typology that combines
Thus, we follow this logic to select
Thus, we predict that both leaders
Thus, we propose that the enforcement of
Hence, it is necessary to make distinction
Hence, they may use all possible instruments
Hence, we inferred that firms will have
Hence, when exploring the relationship between market
Consequently, directive intervention can weaken the relations
may be a critical driver of firms
may be a similar logic at the
may be weakened in established firms than
may cause contradictions. Article 7: 31 - 31 (0)
may engage in fewer tax avoidance activities
may engage in fewer tax avoidance activities
may evoke followers’ affective liking. Article 1:
may help leaders to earn followers
may, in fact, be encouraged to engage
may use all possible instruments to gain
could acquire the second highest degree of
could be remarkably lower. Hence, we inferred
could earn followers’ cognitive trust directly
could influence work engagement significantly
might play as a mechanism that connects
likely to carry out unethical behaviors toward
likely to exist at all stages of
likely to imitate the actor
likely to receive greater potential earnings from
Based on above arguments, we propose the
73
 Article 7: 22 - 23 (0)
Article 9: 18 - 20 (0)
Article 9: 24 - 26 (0)
Article 11: 24 - 25 (0)
Article 7: 27 - 28 (0)
Article 9: 30 - 32 (0)
Article 13: 17 - 18 (0)
Article 4: 24 - 24 (0)
Article 8: 14 - 14 (0)
Article 6: 27 - 28 (0)
Article 4: 19 - 19 (0)
Article 1: 16 - 16 (0)
Article 2: 17 - 18 (0)
Article 10: 18 - 20 (0) Our
Article 7: 31 - 32 (0) Thus, this
Article 2: 7 - 8 (0) Accordingly, this
Article 1: 8 - 8 (0) In this
Based on the above analysis, we propose:
Based on the above arguments, we hypothesize
Based on the above arguments, we posit
Based on the above arguments, we formulate
Based on the analysis above, we propose:
Based on these assumptions, we posit the
Therefore: H6. Unabsorbed slack is positively related
We therefore, propose the following hypothesis: H1. R&
Therefore, we hypothesize the following: H1a.
Therefore, we propose: H1. Holistic cognition frame
Therefore, we suggest the following hypotheses: H3.
Accordingly, this study proposes the following assumption:
Accordingly, this study proposes the following assumptions:
study exclusively focuses on relationship conflict
study explores the process of trust evolution
study proposes the following assumption: H3. Trust
study, we seek to examine how the

Table 10 Boosters and attitude markers in M2S4 Abstracting or synthesizing knowledge claims
Boosters and attitude markers in M2S4
Booster Number Collocations/phrases examples
of
occurenc
es
positive 37 effects, emotions, Work engagement is effective in nature (Schaufeli et al., 2002) and
feelings, impact, contains a series of positive emotions (Ouweneel et al., 2012b).
outcome, relationship, Moreover, positive emotions stimulate individuals to set and realize
resource, signal, tone goals and devote energy in work (Gallagher and Lopez, 2009).
Individuals with positive emotions are more likely to be engaged in
work through an increase in personal resources and job resources
(Ouweneel et al., 2012a), positive emotions act as a prominent
predictor for work engagement (Ouweneel et al., 2011; Ouweneel et
al., 2012a; Ouweneel et al., 2012b). Thus, it is natural to assume that
negative emotions will reduce work engagement on the contrary.
Article 11: 9 - 9 (0)
negative 35 emotion, Negative R&D volatilities denote the shift of innovation strategies
consequences, affect, from exploratory innovation to exploitative innovation. Article 3: 12 -
evalution, effects, 12 (0)
factors, feedback,
information,
incentives,
relationships, social
input
value 28 creation, Designers with a higher level of holistic cognition frame tend to
maximization, concern more on intersystem consistency and harmony. Therefore,
network, of new they will take into account of more stakeholders and try to find a
information, of new middle way to create value. Article 6: 16 - 19 (0)
knowledge,
proposition,
should 17 be considered, be However, firms with moderate market power in a certain industry
identified, be taken, should have at least modest assured profits, and firm survival should
contribute, defend, not be at risk (Clougherty et al., 2017). Article 4: 8 - 9 (0)
explore, have, identify,

74
 increase, involve, play,
try
strong 15 ability, business ties, Strong enforcement of IPR protection helps to protect the knowledge
capacity, innovation generated in the R&D stage by original innovative enterprises and
capability, motivation, prevents competitors from using illegal tactics to possess and utilize
pressure, enforcement this knowledge. Article 12: 11 - 12 (0)
importa 14 antecedent, concern, (Gils et al., 2017) has proved that the environmental factor has
nt feature, impact, exerted an important impact on individual behavior. Article 4: 3 - 3
predictor, role, reason, (0)
influence
effective 9 method, measures, When enterprises perceive risks, they take some effective measures
way, combinations to resist these risks and ease the existing malfunctions (Hsieh et al.,
2010). Article 9: 14 - 14 (0)
valuable 7 asset, resource, Related policies and valuable guidelines can allow R&D enterprises
guidelines, have more time to proactively cope with the uncertainties of market,
information economic, and policy, thus lowering the probability of risks triggered
by the changes of external environment. Article 9: 24 - 24 (0)
actively 5 and directly intervene, Hence, even in the face of great job stress brought by narcissistic
exchange ideas, leadership, such employees would actively execute social exchange
execute social with their leaders and highlight where they made wrong or inefficient
exchange, complete decisions (Chen and Aryee, 2007).
the task
conduci 4 to better evaluate, to If only one kind of government policy is considered, the result is not
ve the improvement, to conducive to the improvement of innovation performance. Article 2:
the diffusion of 17 - 17 (0)
essentia 3 building block, While the commercial distribution of products for universities spin-
l technological offs is still difficult and fraught due to technological uncertainty (Fini
breakthroughs, et al., 2011), such prestige and recognition can be enhanced through
reasons the continuous linkage with university academics and research teams
(Ozer and Zhang, 2015), thereby helping them implement
breakthrough technologies into commercial products in new markets
and obtain high-quality knowledge at a small cost (Shu et al., 2012).
relevant 3 characteristic, Informal ties potentially reduce transaction costs and increase
cognition, knowledge transaction values by facilitating the exchange of relevant knowledge
and increasing learning opportunities (Luo, 2003). Article 6: 4 - 4 (0)
extreme 3 high, important, low When unabsorbed slack is extremely high, however, problems with
ly proactive market orientation will emerge (George, 2005). Article 13:
16 - 17 (0)
active 2 collaboration In transitional economies characterized by turbulent circumstances,
the Chinese governments often implement policies that induce active
collaboration and even directly participates in long-term collaboration
(Cai et al., 2010). Article 9: 27 - 27 (0)
importa 2 of the dynamic The literature about entrepreneurial network and inter-organizational
nce evolution, of the trust trust has
mechanism generally:
● demonstrated the importance of trust mechanisms in
entrepreneurial networks;
● categorized the types of trust in entrepreneurial networks; and
● recognized the importance of the dynamic evolution of trust in
entrepreneurial networks Article 8: 9 - 14 (0)
helpful 2 for expanding the Jensen and Meckling (1976) demonstrated that management
boundaries, to reduce ownership is helpful to reduce agency costs, which may also increase
costs firm performance. Article 14: 5 - 7 (0)

75
 Table 11 Examples of M3S1 Step boundaries after M3S2
M3S1 Step boundaries after M3S2

Based on the above arguments, we formulate two hypotheses as follows:

A9: 4 - 25 (0)
Based on the above arguments, we hypothesize the following: H5. Directive
Article 9: 18 - 20 (0)
Based on the above arguments, we hypothesize the following: H6a
Article 9: 22 - 23 (0)
Based on above arguments, we propose the following hypothesis: H1.
Article 14: 13 - 15 (0)
Based on above arguments, we propose the following hypothesis: H2.
Article 15: 14 - 15 (0)
Thus, it may be hypothesized as follow:
Article 3: 12 - 13 (0)
Thus, this study explores the process of
Article 7: 31 - 32 (0)
Thus, we formulate the following hypothesis: H3.
Article 11: 20 - 20 (0)
Thus, we propose: H1. Business ties for
Article 5: 7 - 8 (0)
Thus, we propose: H2. University ties for
Article 6: 13 - 14 (0)
Thus, we propose: H3. The positive effect
Article 6: 19 - 20 (0)
Thus, we propose: H4. The positive effect
Article 6: 23 - 24 (0)
Thus, we propose the following hypotheses
Article 12: 15 - 15 (0)
Consequently, we make the following prediction: H2
Article 14: 7 - 8 (0)
In summary, we propose the following hypothesis: H1.
Article 2: 20 - 22 (0)

76

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