The theory contribution of case study research designs
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 demo...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2017-02-01
|
| Series: | Business Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40685-017-0045-z |
| _version_ | 1818586104262033408 |
|---|---|
| author | Hans-Gerd Ridder |
| author_facet | Hans-Gerd Ridder |
| author_sort | Hans-Gerd Ridder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T08:47:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cddac419b1a64f74926e3069e03893e7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2198-3402 2198-2627 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T08:47:39Z |
| publishDate | 2017-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Business Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-cddac419b1a64f74926e3069e03893e72022-12-21T22:37:35ZengSpringerBusiness Research2198-34022198-26272017-02-0110228130510.1007/s40685-017-0045-zThe theory contribution of case study research designsHans-Gerd Ridder0Institute of Human Resource Management, Leibniz University of HannoverAbstract 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.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40685-017-0045-zCase studiesResearch designHeterogeneity of case study designsTheory continuumMethodological fitContribution to theory |
| spellingShingle | Hans-Gerd Ridder The theory contribution of case study research designs Business Research Case studies Research design Heterogeneity of case study designs Theory continuum Methodological fit Contribution to theory |
| title | The theory contribution of case study research designs |
| title_full | The theory contribution of case study research designs |
| title_fullStr | The theory contribution of case study research designs |
| title_full_unstemmed | The theory contribution of case study research designs |
| title_short | The theory contribution of case study research designs |
| title_sort | theory contribution of case study research designs |
| topic | Case studies Research design Heterogeneity of case study designs Theory continuum Methodological fit Contribution to theory |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40685-017-0045-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hansgerdridder thetheorycontributionofcasestudyresearchdesigns AT hansgerdridder theorycontributionofcasestudyresearchdesigns |