Paradigm Development and Communication in Scientific Settings: A Contingency Analysis

Abstract

The article discusses research pertaining to the paradigm concept as a contingency factor in relation to scientific performance. Several premises provide the theoretical underpinnings for this study. They include the uncertainty of task, the efficiency of oral communication, and the necessity for oral communication to share a common language scheme. The study sample consisted of 350 academic research units located in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Poland and Sweden. For measuring intraunit and interunit communication two single-item scales were used. The data support the hypothesized interactive relationship among paradigm development.