Patterns of theoretical framework-A: a note on pattern types

Patterns of theoretical framework-A: a note on pattern types in the agile literature review approach (ALRA) for academic-oriented project work.

For this discussion, all the concept bricks and conceptual frameworks are sourced from the academic literature on the topic theme under investigation, e.g. homelessness, innovation barriers, etc.

Pattern 1: New toying with concept bricks

Note: New toying is about constructing a system of concepts (concept bricks with linkages) from a loose assemblage of concepts.

Pattern 2: Framework add-on

Note: Framework add-on is about attaching a few more concepts onto an existing system of concepts (notably a theoretical or a conceptual framework).

Pattern 3: Framework fusion

Note: Framework fusion is about merging two theoretical/ conceptual frameworks into one framework, most likely with some restructuring of concept relationships from the two frameworks.

Pattern 4: Concept layering

Note: Concept layering is about recognizing some concepts as containing systems of other concepts. Some usage of grounded theory coding could be useful for this concept layering exercise.

Pattern 5: Framework customization

Note: Framework customization is about constructing a tailor-made framework by picking and plugging together concepts from diverse source so as to serve a concrete application purpose.

Pattern 6: Framework restructuring

Note: Framework restructuring involves changing some relationships between concepts from a theoretical/ conceptual framework (or a merged framework).

Pattern 7: Concept mutation in framework

Note: items, 2, 4 and 5 are mutated concepts. That is, the definitions of the concepts have been revised (e.g. via amending a particular concept definition [e.g., item 5] or merging 2 or more concept definitions as one [e.g. items 2 and 4].

These seven framework patterns are generic pattern types; in actual theoretical framework-A construction, it is likely that the constructed theoretical framework-A adopts features from more than one pattern type. A theoretical framework-A is formulated, based on literature review by the researcher, to, first of all, come up with specific research gaps to be responded to in the researcher's dissertation project, and, subsequently, to refine the research gaps and their derived research objectives of the dissertation project. With regard to research strategy, the theoretical framework-A construction effort endorses theory-building research work that is able to produce, with intellectual justification, usable theories (including methodologies and conceptual frameworks) for a specific domain of practical applications). The reason is that the ALRA was developed from the outset for the MBA students to employ in their dissertation project works, with much stress on the practical value of their project work.

Examples of theoretical frameworks that you could find from the academic literature in management are: 1. the path goal theory of leadership and 2. Porter and Lawler's motivation theory (also the online note).

The framework construction itself is an evolutionary prototyping process, thus an agile process.

The discussion of theoretical framework-A construction in terms of pattern types remind us the importance of higher level of learning as postulated in Bloom's taxonomy for learning.

A related study note: 3 theoretical framework-A construction exercises.