theory building from cases: opportunities and challenges shruti satsangi paper summary technology...
TRANSCRIPT
Theory Building from Cases: Opportunities and Challenges
Shruti Satsangi
Paper SummaryTechnology Innovation ManagementJune 8, 2009
The Paper
June 8, [email protected] Slide 2
• Eisenhardt, K. M., Graebner, M. E. 2007. Theory Building From Cases: Opportunities And Challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1):25-32.
June 8, [email protected] Slide 3
Objectives
• Highlight the opportunities that differentiate building theory from cases from other research strategies
• Describe some of its common challenges and suggest possible antidotes
Deliverable:• List of best practices when implementing and
publishing a theory building from cases research strategy
June 8, [email protected] Slide 4
Who cares Why Evidence that managers care about the issues addressed
Research Method Researchers
Provides a definition of what theory building from cases is
Shows differences between this and other research methods
Gephart, 2004
Siggelkow, 2007
Suddaby, 2006
Weick, 2007
Researchers Provides details on what theory building from cases is
Provides guidelines for correctly structuring the presentation of such a theory
Chandler, 1962
Dutton & Dukerich, 1991
Eisenhardt, 1989
Relevance
June 8, [email protected] Slide 5
Stream Key highlights of the stream Key references
Using case studies to develop theory
Theory building from cases can be used in diverse topics (group process, strategy, internal organization)
Papers using theory building from cases are regarded as interesting and novel
Definitions of theory building from cases and case studies
Edmondson et. al. (2001)
Eisenhardt (1989)
Gilbert (2005)
Mintzberg & Waters (1982)
Whyte (1941)
Related alternative research methods topics
Other alternative research methods include: grounded theory building, value of richness, single case study and qualitative research
Gephart (2004)
Siggelkow (2007)
Suddaby (2006)
Weick (2007)
Literature review
June 8, [email protected] Slide 6
Contribution
• Clarity on what are the differences between theory building from cases versus other alternative research methods
• Guidelines for carrying out and presenting a theory building from cases research methodology in a paper
June 8, [email protected] Slide 7
Theory Building from Cases
Source: TTMG 5003 Course Notes
• “Building theory from cases studies is a research method that involves using one or more cases to create theoretical constructs, propositions and/or midrange theory from case-based, empirical evidence”
June 8, [email protected] Slide 8
Lessons Learned
• Theory building from cases is objective since it demands close adherence to the data
• It is a bridge between rich qualitative evidence and deductive research
• There are challenges in writing papers that use this research method
• Multiple case studies yield more parsimonious, robust and generalisable theory than single case studies
June 8, [email protected] Slide 9
Lessons Learned
• Qualitative data and qualitative research are different• Qualitative research also refers to other research
strategies that use qualitative data other than organizing data into cases and using replication logic (theory building from cases)
• Grounded theory is characterised by the concepts of constant comparison and theoretical sampling
• A strict grounded theory strategy can lead to theory with path dependence and limited generalisability
June 8, [email protected] Slide 10
Using Theory Building from Cases
• Eisenhardt and Graebner identify some key things to consider:1. Justify why it is used
2. How to choose a theoretical sampling of cases
3. How to analyse interview data correctly
4. Strategies for presenting the theory and empirical data in a paper
June 8, [email protected] Slide 11
Using Theory Building from Cases
1. Justify why it is used1. Explain why the research question is significant
2. Demonstrate that there is no existing theory that offers an answer
2. How to choose a theoretical sampling of cases1. Choose cases that are suitable for understanding
relationships and logic among constructs
2. Single Cases: unusual, extreme, accessible
3. Multiple Cases: replication, extension of theory, contrary replication, elimination of alternatives, polar types
June 8, [email protected] Slide 12
Using Theory Building from Cases
3. How to analyse interview data correctly1. Interviews can be victim to retrospective sensemaking and
impression management
2. Use numerous, knowledgeable informants with diverse perspectives
3. Combine retrospective and real-time cases
4. Strategies for presenting the theory and empirical data in a paper1. A balance of case narrative and theory presentation
2. Develop a theory by distinct propositions so that each is supported by empirical evidence
3. Use effective visual aids (summary tables, construct tables)
June 8, [email protected] Slide 13
Using Theory Building from Cases
4. Strategies for presenting the theory and empirical data in a paper4. Structure the paper by:
1. Summarising it in the introduction
2. Writing each proposition and linking it to the supporting evidence
3. Providing a visual theory summary (“boxes and arrows” diagram, summary table)