A concept expresses and abstraction formed by generalization from particulars. “Weight” is a concept; it expresses numerous observations of things that are more or less “heavy” or “light.” (Kerlinger, Fred N. 1986. Foundations of Behavioral Research (3rd ed.). Orlando, Fl: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. P. 26.)

Concepts are terms that refer to the characteristics of events, situations, groups, and individuals that we are studying in the social sciences. (Holt et al.

A concept cannot necessarily be measured directly. For instance, strategy is a concept. The concept of a strategy can be described as evolving from generalizations about the actions taken by managers relative to market scope, organizational resources and capabilities, and timing. Scope, resources and timing are deliberately and consciously created constructs that have been developed by scholars to describe certain measurable attributes of the concept of strategy. Carton & Hofer (2006)