Writing Conceptual Theory Papers

Seminar summary 

In this session Phil Hancock, Melissa Tyler and Ian Roper will lead a discussion on the issues involved in writing and submitting “theory papers” to journals in our subject area.

Phil, with experience of writing theory papers, will begin the discussion by asking what constitutes a theory paper (and indeed theory) in OSHR – making a point that journals often try to dismiss anything that does not contain primary empirical data as ‘theory’, the problems this can raise for the author and how they can present both work that seeks to theorise organisational phenomena, and that which actually engages in theoretical or speculative writing.

Ian will then continue with some reflections on his experience of ‘theory papers’ from his time as editor of the journal Work, Employment and Society: why journals want more of these types of paper, why they often don’t like what they get submitted, and some common errors made by authors submitting theory papers.

Finally Melissa, with theory-writing and editorial experience, will reflect on the previous points and sum up.

We then hope for some lively discussion and Q&A.

How to join this seminar

This seminar is free to attend with no need to register in advance.

Join this seminar online on Wednesday 9 March at 12pm.

Speaker bios

Dr Ian Roper

Ian Roper researches and teaches in the subject of human resource management. He has research interests in a number of inter-related areas including: 'reforming' work in public services; the impact of employment regulation on equality-related issues; the 'professional' nature of HRM; the relationship between corporate social responsibility and HRM and relatedly, how these relate to the issue of 'Modern Slavery'. Most recently he is interested in the notion of 'Agile' working.

Professor Phil Hancock

Philip Hancock is a Professor of Work and Organisation, and Head of the Organisation Studies and HRM Group, at Essex Business School, University of Essex, UK. His research interests include the work of critical schools of organisation theory, organisational aesthetics, the spatial and architectural management of work, emotional and aesthetic labour, the historical and contemporary organisation of Christmas, and the intersubjective importance of recognition within the workplace.

Professor Melissa Tyler

Melissa Tyler research focuses largely on gender, feminist theory and the body in work and organisational settings; emotion, aesthetics and sexuality in the workplace, and organisational space, place and materiality. I am currently working on two single authored books: 'Soho at Work: Place and Pleasure in Contemporary London' (Cambridge University Press), and 'Judith Butler and Organization Theory' (Routledge).