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Theory as Fantasy: Emotional Dimensions to Grounded Theory
Author(s)
Date Issued
2019-01
Date Available
2019-03-27T09:35:39Z
Abstract
In this paper we discuss emotions and fantasies that inform and influence the project of theory building. Our argument is that theory building can be improved by engaging directly with emotions and with fantasies that are defensively and creatively generated by the researcher. Once acknowledged, these can be transformed into ideas and insights. We provide an example of the emotional dynamics surrounding a novice researcher's use of grounded theory within her doctoral research. We highlight three distinctive researcher fantasies of containment, coherence and purity associated with her experience of the method. We discuss how engagement with these fantasies deepened the researcher's analysis and thereby enhanced the process of building theory from the data. Therefore, our paper contributes to an understanding of how fantasies mobilized by such an open‐ended research method can help to refine our thinking about emerging theory.
Type of Material
Journal Article
Publisher
Wiley
Journal
British Journal of Management
Volume
30
Issue
1
Start Page
203
End Page
216
Copyright (Published Version)
2018 British Academy of Management
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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Owning collection
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11
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