Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 281-305 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Business Research |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 16 Feb 2017 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to highlight similarities and differences across various case study designs and to analyze their respective contributions to theory. Although different designs reveal some common underlying characteristics, a comparison of such case study research designs demonstrates that case study research incorporates different scientific goals and collection and analysis of data. This paper relates this comparison to a more general debate of how different research designs contribute to a theory continuum. The fine-grained analysis demonstrates that case study designs fit differently to the pathway of the theory continuum. The resulting contribution is a portfolio of case study research designs. This portfolio demonstrates the heterogeneous contributions of case study designs. Based on this portfolio, theoretical contributions of case study designs can be better evaluated in terms of understanding, theory-building, theory development, and theory testing.
Keywords
- Case studies, Contribution to theory, Heterogeneity of case study designs, Methodological fit, Research design, Theory continuum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)
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In: Business Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, 10.2017, p. 281-305.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The theory contribution of case study research designs
AU - Ridder, Hans Gerd
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017, The Author(s).
PY - 2017/10
Y1 - 2017/10
N2 - The objective of this paper is to highlight similarities and differences across various case study designs and to analyze their respective contributions to theory. Although different designs reveal some common underlying characteristics, a comparison of such case study research designs demonstrates that case study research incorporates different scientific goals and collection and analysis of data. This paper relates this comparison to a more general debate of how different research designs contribute to a theory continuum. The fine-grained analysis demonstrates that case study designs fit differently to the pathway of the theory continuum. The resulting contribution is a portfolio of case study research designs. This portfolio demonstrates the heterogeneous contributions of case study designs. Based on this portfolio, theoretical contributions of case study designs can be better evaluated in terms of understanding, theory-building, theory development, and theory testing.
AB - The objective of this paper is to highlight similarities and differences across various case study designs and to analyze their respective contributions to theory. Although different designs reveal some common underlying characteristics, a comparison of such case study research designs demonstrates that case study research incorporates different scientific goals and collection and analysis of data. This paper relates this comparison to a more general debate of how different research designs contribute to a theory continuum. The fine-grained analysis demonstrates that case study designs fit differently to the pathway of the theory continuum. The resulting contribution is a portfolio of case study research designs. This portfolio demonstrates the heterogeneous contributions of case study designs. Based on this portfolio, theoretical contributions of case study designs can be better evaluated in terms of understanding, theory-building, theory development, and theory testing.
KW - Case studies
KW - Contribution to theory
KW - Heterogeneity of case study designs
KW - Methodological fit
KW - Research design
KW - Theory continuum
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85050626091&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s40685-017-0045-z
DO - 10.1007/s40685-017-0045-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85050626091
VL - 10
SP - 281
EP - 305
JO - Business Research
JF - Business Research
SN - 2198-3402
IS - 2
ER -