Contingency Theory: Science Or Technology?

Abstract

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: no;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An answer to the research question, 'Is Contingency Theory Science or Technology?' is proposed in this paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Contingency theories and a contingency perspective are popular among researchers in organization theory and design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They are based on the idea that a proper fit between contingency variables and organizational design parameters will result in the highest performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Does the identification of a 'contingency theory' consisting of a set contingency variable/design parameter matches constitute scientific theory or prescriptive technology?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Justifications are made for these theories as science, technology and both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The conclusion presented is that a contingency theory is both science and technology, but often ineffective as technology because it is not applied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>General recommendations are made for researchers to increase emphasis on (1) multiple rather than single contingencies and (2) explanations of relationships.</span></span></p>