What does that theory testing trend suggest about
levels of theory building over time? Kuhn’s (1963)
classic term “essential tension” describes how the
convergent thinking created by theoretical consensus
actually fosters, rather than inhibits, the “divergent
thinking” needed for path-breaking research.
Specifically, Kuhn (1963) argued that scholars need
to be well versed in a current way of thinking
before they can recognize the gaps in scientific
understanding that trigger the building of new theories.
Similarly, McKinley et al. (1999) described
how scientific schools of thought are established
and maintained by a mix of continuity, reflecting
theory testing, and novelty, reflecting new constructs,
relationships, and research directions. Continuity
is needed for scholars to understand how to
work within a given school of thought, whereas
novelty is needed to attract attention to and interest
in the school. Taken together, these arguments suggest
that theory building will also rise as the paradigms
in the management literature become more
mature.