How to Conceptualize

1- System: an ordered entirety of elements and

relationships
2- Model: representation of a ‘system’ that is
intentionally constructed to study some aspect of
that system or the system as a whole
**Model is based on theoretical assumptions. key
properties of a phenomenon and help to guide a
specific pattern of actions or how things hold
together in illustrating relationships

3- Positivistic Model, Constructivist Model

Maps: signatures representing certain properties of the depicted theoretical path

Properties of maps:

• A map never represents a reality – it is a reconstruction according to purpose and

task.
 
• Symbols used in the map are deliberately chosen and depend upon that purpose.
 
• Function is highlighting certain things and leaving other things out in other words

• Usefulness of a map exists in what it omits.

• A kind of ‘one map fits all’ does not exist. Maps are created or selected according to
a goal and task to be accomplished
 
• There are neither right nor wrong maps. Maps are more or less appropriate and
functional according to a specific context and problem.
Mind Mapping
Properties of Conceptual Models
 
• Verbal or Visual ‘constructions’ helping to differentiate between what is important
and what not

• Model offers a framework illustrating causal relationships between factors that

matter

• Models serve to direct focus, thus, facilitating communication which leads to

better understanding

• it strengthens an organisation’s ability to act collectively once understood.

 
• Models are to be understood as contingent or contextualised illustrating a range
of interrelated properties and postulating specific relationships.
 
• Models also tend to have blind spots. They do what they should do but still omit
something important or even essential.
What constitutes ‘theory’?
 
• Systematic attempt to understand what is observable in the world. 

• It creates order and logic from observable facts

 
• A good theory would: “identify relevant variables and the connections between
them in a way that testable hypotheses can be generated and empirically
established

• An important part of theory is the demonstration of relations between variables

within a conceptual framework.
a) falsifiable, (b) logically coherent, (c) operationalisable, (d) useful and (e) possess
sufficient explanatory power in terms of scope and comprehensiveness

• Ideally, “good theory should have both explanatory value as well as predictive value”
 
• Conceptual models are inescapably based on theory or at least theoretical notions.
Theory tells you where to look, what to look for and how to look.
Functions of a Conceptual Model in Designing
Research

• perspective: a way of looking at empirical

phenomena
 Structuring the problem: identifying relevant factors
and then providing the connections that make it
easier to map and frame the problem.
• Linkage: Conceptual model is linking it to system
theory.
• Demonstrating causality: Question of the
embeddedness of the elements in the research  
Role of a Conceptual Model with a Closed
Question
Process of relating the theoretical model to the empirical reality

Operationalisation is the process of changing a theoretical

construct into a concept that can be “seen” in the empirical
reality.

This translation process is guided and supported by theory that

can be found in the literature

“Operationalisation”: Crucial is where the theoretical model

and the empirical reality are related is when they are translated
into observable constructs.
Process of Operationalization
• Defining concept
• Indicators
• Questions
• Hypothesis: Assumed relationship
• Modelling: take into consideration the level of
concepts and the level of variables

Using theoretical insights , reflection, imagination

 
Suggestions to develop Conceptual Model
• make a quick scan of relevant models in a specific field
• If you start with the (open) description of problem; a
good question to ask is whether it is possible to provide an
indication of how the people involved see the problem
• Which theory can be related to the label
• If you want to construct a model, simply start by making
an image with a few concepts and depict relations
• Distil your concepts and relationships
• Draw a simple picture of the concepts in relation to each
other. (right, left, intervening)
• Operationalize concepts
• Do not let yourself be fooled by your own model.
References

• Bacharach, S. (1989). Organizational theories: some criteria for evaluation.

Academy of Management Review, 14, 496–515.
• Key, S. (1999). Toward a new theory of the firm: a critique of ‘stakeholder’
theory. Management Decision, 37(4), 317–328.
• Ru¨egg-Stu¨rm, J. (2005). The New St. Gallen management model; basic
categories of an approach to integrated management. Houndmills:
Palgrave Macmillan.
• Ryan, B., Scapens, R. W., & Theobald, M. (1992). Research method and
methodology in finance and accounting. London: Academic Press,
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers.