The empirical model is formally shown as a graph and is accompanied by research propositions. Both incorporate the data, which, in effect, represent the final evolutionary stage of the emergent model.
Theory versus theoretical framework: I subscribe to Whetten’s (1989) and Van de Ven’s (1989) definitions of good theory and the questions it should address (what, how, why and who, where and when?). This study is a first step in developing a theory and, as such, it doesn’t address all of the questions. Thus, its main output is referred to mainly as a theoretical framework. There are occasions, however, where the terms theory and theoretical framework are used interchangeably.
Dollars: In line with prior practice, U.S. dollars are used exclusively in the first two chapters to denote currencies. Australian dollars are used at an undesignated exchange rate in the other chapters mainly to help obscure company descriptions and contribute to the maintenance of data confidentiality. The use of two currencies does not substantively affect findings.
