On theory in operations management
回应运营管理领域理论不足的批评，提出通过系统思考可构建类似自然科学的有用理论，并以“快速均衡流理论”和“绩效前沿理论”为例说明如何发展运营管理理论。
Abstract The field of operations management has been criticized for the inadequacy of its theory. We suggest that this criticism may be too harsh, and further, that many building blocks of theory are prevalent in the body of existing research. This paper has two goals. The first is to suggest that careful organization of our thinking can lead to useful, productive theories in operations management that demonstrate all the hallmarks of the familiar theories of natural science. We discuss the nature of scientific inquiry in general terms, and examine the implications for what should be expected from theory in operations management. Our second goal is to illustrate through examples how such theories and their related laws might be developed. Two theories are proposed: the Theory of Swift, Even Flow, and the Theory of Performance Frontiers. The Theory of Swift, Even Flow addresses the phenomenon of cross‐factory productivity differences. The Theory of Performance Frontiers addresses the multiple dimensions of factory performance and seeks to unify prior statements regarding cumulative capabilities and trade‐offs. Implications drawn from the theories are discussed and concluding remarks suggest the advantages of future theory development and test.