Abstract

RODRIGUES, Ana Carolina de Aguiar  and  CARVALHO-FREITAS, Maria Nivalda de. Theoretical fragmentation: origins and repercussions in Work and Organizational Psychology. Rev. Psicol., Organ. Trab. [online]. 2016, vol.16, n.4, pp. 310-315. ISSN 1984-6657.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17652/rpot/2016.4.12630.

The fragmentation problem has been a concern in WOP for jeopardizing the construction of good theories and the establishment of a solid theoretical field. In this article, we describe the theoretical fragmentation in WOP and map the main types and origins. We discuss the main conceptual problems currently observed in WOP. Then we discuss the role of political and ideological issues and structural factors of scientific development within the fragmentation process. If features of WOP, like splits and internal divisions, favor the emergence of fragmentation, we should also consider broader factors that permeate different fields of humanities and applied social sciences and reverberate on WOP in the same manner. Finally, we seek to differentiate two mainstreams: the fragmentation that weakens the field; and the multiplicity of approaches and concepts that constitute the scientific process. We reflect on the challenge of differentiating them, and on steps to reduce fragmentation.

Keywords : theoretical fragmentation; conceptual problems; WOP.

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