From amj-skills
Builds theoretical mechanisms and derives testable hypotheses for AMJ manuscripts. Use when hypotheses lack a mechanism or a reviewer flags thin theory.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/amj-skills:amj-theory-developmentThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
- Hypotheses read as bald predictions ("A is positively related to B") with no mechanism
AMJ does not publish atheoretical work — its mission is "to publish empirical research that tests, extends, or builds management theory." Every hypothesis must be derived from an articulated theoretical mechanism, written before the results are known. The argument should make a reader feel they understand why the effect occurs and under what conditions it strengthens or reverses.
For theory-building (typically qualitative) papers, AMJ does not expect a priori hypotheses; it expects a grounded model with emergent propositions. Eisenhardt and Graebner's AMJ guidance on building theory from cases is the canonical exemplar for how rich data become crisp constructs and propositions — do not force such a study into a hypothetico-deductive template.
For each hypothesis, write the explicit chain — do not skip steps:
State the level of analysis explicitly (individual, team, firm) and keep the theory at the level where the mechanism operates; flag cross-level mediation as such.
【Focal theory】... (process verb: ...)
【H1 (focal effect)】antecedent → mechanism → outcome; direction/form; level
【H2 (mechanism/mediation)】...
【H3+ (boundary/moderation)】... reason the slope changes
【Rival explanation addressed】...
【HARKing check】hypotheses fixed before analysis? yes/no
【Model figure】matches hypotheses one-to-one? yes/no
【Next step】amj-literature-positioning, then amj-methods
npx claudepluginhub brycewang-stanford/awesome-journal-skills --plugin amj-skillsBuilds theoretical arguments for Journal of Management manuscripts: constructs, mechanisms, boundary conditions, and a priori hypotheses. Use when theory is the bottleneck.
Builds deductive mechanism chains or inductive grounded models for Journal of Management Studies manuscripts. Use when theory is the bottleneck.
Assembles theoretical arguments for AMR manuscripts by defining constructs, specifying relationships, articulating mechanisms, and setting boundary conditions.