Rigorous development of theory in operations management has been lacking. Although many theories have been proposed, they are often not developed in a format and depth that can be falsified, refined, or supported. This special issue includes three papers that illustrate rigorous development of theory for future testing using mathematical, simulation, or managerial approaches.
AmundsonS. D.1998. Relationship between theory‐driven empirical research in operations management and other disciplines. J. Oper. Management16(4) 341–359.
2.
AndersonJ. C.RungtusanathamM.SchroederR. G.1994. A theory of quality management underlying the deming management method. Acad. Management Rev.19(3) 472–509.
3.
BacharachS. B.1989. Organizational theories: Some criteria for evaluation. Acad. Management Rev.14(4) 496–515.
4.
ChambersC.KouvelisP.2006. Modeling and managing the percentage of satisfied customers in hidden and revealed waiting line systems. Production Oper. Management15(1) 103–116.
5.
DewanS.ShiC.GubaxaniV.2007. Investigating the risk‐return relationship of information technology investment: Firm‐level empirical analysis. Management Sci.53(12) 1829–1842.
6.
EisenhardtK. M.1989. Building theories from case study research. Acad. Management Rev.14(4) 532–550.
7.
FlynnB. B.SchroederR. G.FlynnE. J.1999. World class manufacturing: An investigation of Hayes and Wheelwright's foundation. J. Oper. Management17(3) 249–269.
8.
GlasserB. G.StraussA. L.1967. The Discovery of Grounded Theory; Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine Publishing Company, Chicago.
9.
GrößlerA.ThunJ.‐H.MillingP. M.2008. System dynamics as a structural theory in operations management. Production Oper. Management17(3) 373–384.
10.
GuptaS.VermaR.VictorinoL.2006. Empirical research published in production and operations management (1992–2005): Trends and future research directions. Production Oper. Management15(3) 432–448.
11.
MeredithJ.1998. Building operations management theory through case and field research. J. Oper. Management16(4) 441–454.
12.
MillerJ. G.RothA. V.1994. A taxonomy of manufacturing strategies. Management Sci.40(3) 285–304.
13.
RungtusanathamM. J.SalvadorF.2008. From mass production to mass customization: Hindrance factors, structural inertia, and transition hazard. Production Oper. Management17(3) 385–396.
14.
SampsonS. E.FroehleC. M.2006. Foundations and implications of a proposed unified services theory. Production Oper. Management15(2) 329–343.
15.
SchmennerR.SwinkM.1998. On theory in operations management. J. Oper. Management17(1) 97–113.
16.
SchroederR. G.BatesK. A.JunttilaM. A.2002. A capability‐based view of manufacturing strategy and the relationship to manufacturing performance. Strategic Management J.23(2) 105–117.
17.
SwamidassP. M.1991. Empirical science: The new frontier in operations management research. Acad. Management Rev.16(4) 793–814.
18.
WackerJ. G.1998. A definition of theory: Research guidelines for different theory‐building research methods in operations management. J. Oper. Management16(4) 361–385.
19.
WackerJ. G.2004. A theory of formal conceptual definitions: Developing theory‐building measurement instruments. J. Oper. Management22(6) 629–650.
20.
WhettenD. A.1989. What constitutes a theoretical contributionAcad. Management Rev.14(4) 490–495.
21.
XueM.FieldJ. M.2008. Service coproduction with information stickiness and incomplete contracts: Implications for consulting services design. Production Oper. Management17(3) 357–372.
