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Content analysis is used to deconstruct the CAS descriptions into \u201ccomponent concepts.\u201d Those concepts are analyzed from multiple viewpoints.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>There is no single, shared, sense of CAS theory. Differing understandings of CAS theory are identified based on \u201cexpert version\u201d and \u201cmost popularly identified concepts.\u201d Also, differences and similarities are identified between an \u201cacademic\u201d version of CAS and a version developed by those who are influenced by both academic learning and practical experience.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>Study is limited to concise definitions of CAS, so could be improved by including more lengthy conversations. Additionally, study is limited to organizational theory, so may be less applicable in other disciplines.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>When working within a CAS framework, academics should specify their CAS perspective to improve clarity of their work. When using a CAS framework to study organizations, researchers should include a comprehensive suite of concepts. Though not described in depth, no effective application of CAS for organizational change were found.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>For those who study CAS theory and theory of theory, this paper provides an important benchmark by identifying a bifurcation in the evolution of CAS theory.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/03684920810884388","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,9,6]],"date-time":"2008-09-06T07:09:39Z","timestamp":1220684979000},"page":"1016-1029","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":22,"title":["Emerging order in CAS theory: mapping some perspectives"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"37","author":[{"given":"Steven E.","family":"Wallis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022021820135902300_b1","unstructured":"Appelbaum, R.P. 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