Case Study Research
Abstract
Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research is an excellent resource for students and researchers in the areas of organization studies, management research and organizational psychology, bringing together in one volume the range of methods available for undertaking qualitative data collection and analysis. The volume includes 30 chapters, each focusing on a specific technique. The chapters cover traditional research methods, analysis techniques, and interventions as well as the latest developments in the field. Each chapter reviews how the method has been used in organizational research, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using the method, and presents a case study example of the method in use. A list of further reading is supplied for those requiring additional information about a given method. The comprehensive and accessible nature of this collection will make it an essential and lasting handbook for researchers and students studying organizations.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The interactive approach to data collection and analysis allowed theory development grounded in empirical evidence, which was the main strength of the design.
“We were thereby able to adopt an interactive approach to data collection and analysis, allowing theory development grounded in empirical evidence, which was the main strength of this design.148”
From ReseArch with Patient and Public invOlvement: a RealisT evaluation – the RAPPORT study (2015) · cites this paper as [148]
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Case study research: design and methods
Phelan, S. (2011) · Evaluation & Research in Education · doi:10.1080/09500790.2011.582317 · Cited by 21,885 · see citing works
Desimone, L. M. (2009) · Educational Researcher · doi:10.3102/0013189x08331140 · Cited by 4,862 · see citing works
A framework of sustainable supply chain management: moving toward new theory
Carter, C. R., & Rogers, D. S. (2008) · International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management · doi:10.1108/09600030810882816 · Cited by 4,270 · see citing works
Guidelines for conducting and reporting case study research in software engineering
Runeson, P., & Höst, M. (2009) · Empirical Software Engineering · doi:10.1007/s10664-008-9102-8 · Cited by 3,862 · see citing works
What Is a Case Study and What Is It Good for?
Gerring, J. (2004) · American Political Science Review · doi:10.1017/s0003055404001182 · Cited by 3,084 · see citing works
Ellis, P. D. (2010) · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511761676 · Cited by 2,461 · see citing works
Managing the transition from products to services
Oliva, R., & Kallenberg, R. (2003) · International Journal of Service Industry Management · doi:10.1108/09564230310474138 · Cited by 2,331 · see citing works
The evolution of cooperation in strategic alliances: Initial conditions or learning processes?
Doz, Y. (2007) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250171006 · Cited by 2,194 · see citing works
Smith, J. A. (2008) · BIROn (Birkbeck, University of London) · doi:10.1191/1478088704qp004oa · Cited by 2,175 · see citing works
`How many cases do I need?': On science and the logic of case selection in field-based research
Small, M. L. (2009) · Ethnography · doi:10.1177/1466138108099586 · Cited by 2,023 · see citing works
How to Construct a Mixed Methods Research Design
Schoonenboom, J., & Johnson, R. B. (2017) · KZfSS Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie · doi:10.1007/s11577-017-0454-1 · Cited by 1,757 · see citing works
Edmondson, A. C. (2003) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/1467-6486.00386 · Cited by 1,635 · see citing works
Pratt, M. G. (2009) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2009.44632557 · Cited by 1,625 · see citing works
Does Sample Size Matter in Qualitative Research?: A Review of Qualitative Interviews in is Research
Marshall, B., Cardon, P., Poddar, A., & Fontenot, R. (2013) · Journal of Computer Information Systems · doi:10.1080/08874417.2013.11645667 · Cited by 1,636 · see citing works
Generalizing Generalizability in Information Systems Research
Lee, A. S., & Baskerville, R. (2003) · Information Systems Research · doi:10.1287/isre.14.3.221.16560 · Cited by 1,546 · see citing works
Responding to Organizational Identity Threats: Exploring the Role of Organizational Culture
Ravasi, D., & Schultz, M. (2006) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2006.21794663 · Cited by 1,512 · see citing works
The Social Processes of Organizational Sensemaking
Maitlis, S. (2005) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2005.15993111 · Cited by 1,459 · see citing works
Reinventing strategies for emerging markets: beyond the transnational model
London, T., & Hart, S. L. (2004) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400099 · Cited by 1,440 · see citing works
How leaders influence employees' innovative behaviour
de Jong, J. P. J., & Hartog, D. N. D. (2007) · European Journal of Innovation Management · doi:10.1108/14601060710720546 · Cited by 1,400 · see citing works
Theorising from case studies: Towards a pluralist future for international business research
Welch, C., Piekkari, R., Plakoyiannaki, E., & Paavilainen‐Mäntymäki, E. (2010) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/jibs.2010.55 · Cited by 1,315 · see citing works
When Collections of Creatives Become Creative Collectives: A Field Study of Problem Solving at Work
Hargadon, A. B., & Bechky, B. A. (2006) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.1060.0200 · Cited by 1,286 · see citing works
Barratt, M., Choi, T. Y., & Li, M.-L. (2011) · Journal of Operations Management · doi:10.1016/j.jom.2010.06.002 · Cited by 1,409 · see citing works
Research Methods in Business Studies
Ghauri, P. N., Grønhaug, K., & Strange, R. N. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108762427 · Cited by 1,215 · see citing works
Sovacool, B. K., Axsen, J., & Sorrell, S. (2018) · Energy Research & Social Science · doi:10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.007 · Cited by 1,238 · see citing works
Do, H., Elbaum, S. G., & Rothermel, G. (2005) · Empirical Software Engineering · doi:10.1007/s10664-005-3861-2 · Cited by 1,161 · see citing works
Balancing Borders and Bridges: Negotiating the Work-Home Interface via Boundary Work Tactics
Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2009) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2009.43669916 · Cited by 1,114 · see citing works
How Entrepreneurs Use Symbolic Management to Acquire Resources
Zott, C., & Huy, Q. N. (2007) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2189/asqu.52.1.70 · Cited by 1,099 · see citing works
Digitalization and its influence on business model innovation
Rachinger, M., Rauter, R., Müller, C., Vorraber, W., & Schirgi, E. (2018) · Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management · doi:10.1108/jmtm-01-2018-0020 · Cited by 1,090 · see citing works
Case Study As a Research Method
Zainal, Z. (2007) · Cited by 1,074 · see citing works
Critical junctures in the development of university high-tech spinout companies
Vohora, A., Wright, M., & Lockett, A. (2003) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/s0048-7333(03)00107-0 · Cited by 1,056 · see citing works
Case Studies: Types, Designs, and Logics of Inference
Levy, J. S. (2008) · Conflict Management and Peace Science · doi:10.1080/07388940701860318 · Cited by 1,097 · see citing works
Co-opetition between giants: Collaboration with competitors for technological innovation
Gnyawali, D. R., & Park, B.-J. (. (2011) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2011.01.009 · Cited by 1,044 · see citing works
Case Study: A Strategic Research Methodology
Noor, K. B. M. (2008) · American Journal of Applied Sciences · doi:10.3844/ajassp.2008.1602.1604 · Cited by 1,046 · see citing works
Alternative Approaches for Studying Organizational Change
de Ven, A. H. V., & Poole, M. S. (2005) · Organization Studies · doi:10.1177/0170840605056907 · Cited by 1,002 · see citing works
The Ongoing Process of Building a Theory of Disruption
Christensen, C. M. (2005) · Journal of Product Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/j.1540-5885.2005.00180.x · Cited by 994 · see citing works
On the shoulders of giants: undertaking a structured literature review in accounting
Massaro, M., Dumay, J., & Guthrie, J. (2016) · Accounting Auditing & Accountability Journal · doi:10.1108/aaaj-01-2015-1939 · Cited by 984 · see citing works
Co-creating value for luxury brands
Tynan, C., Mckechnie, S. A., & Chhuon, C. (2009) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2009.10.012 · Cited by 964 · see citing works
Darwinians, Communitarians, and Missionaries: The Role of Founder Identity in Entrepreneurship
Fauchart, E., & Gruber, M. B. (2011) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2009.0211 · Cited by 935 · see citing works
The Use of Qualitative Content Analysis in Case Study Research
Kohlbacher, F. (2008) · Forum qualitative Sozialforschung · doi:10.17169/fqs-7.1.75 · Cited by 933 · see citing works
The Emergence of Governance in an Open Source Community
O'Mahony, S., & Ferraro, F. (2007) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2007.27169153 · Cited by 899 · see citing works
Lechner, C., & Dowling, M. J. (2003) · Entrepreneurship and Regional Development · doi:10.1080/08985620210159220 · Cited by 858 · see citing works
Real-time co-creation and nowness service: lessons from tourism and hospitality
Buhalis, D., & Sinarta, Y. (2019) · Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing · doi:10.1080/10548408.2019.1592059 · Cited by 883 · see citing works
Ghazawneh, A., & Henfridsson, O. (2013) · Information Systems Journal · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2575.2012.00406.x · Cited by 854 · see citing works
Smart and Digital City: A Systematic Literature Review
Cocchia, A. (2014) · Progress in IS · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-06160-3_2 · Cited by 876 · see citing works
Principles of canonical action research
Davison, R. M., Martinsons, M. G., & Kock, N. (2004) · Information Systems Journal · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2575.2004.00162.x · Cited by 834 · see citing works
Making connections: a review of supply chain management and sustainability literature
Ashby, A., Leat, M., & Smith, M. H. (2012) · Supply Chain Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/13598541211258573 · Cited by 812 · see citing works
Smart tourism destinations: ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness
Boes, K., Buhalis, D., & Inversini, A. (2016) · International Journal of Tourism Cities · doi:10.1108/ijtc-12-2015-0032 · Cited by 734 · see citing works
Agile Business Model Innovation in Digital Entrepreneurship: Lean Startup Approaches
Ghezzi, A., & Cavallo, A. (2018) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.06.013 · Cited by 724 · see citing works
Drivers of supply chain vulnerability: an integrated framework
Peck, H. (2005) · International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management · doi:10.1108/09600030510599904 · Cited by 724 · see citing works
Methodological Pluralism and the Possibilities and Limits of Interviewing
Lamont, M., & Swidler, A. (2014) · Qualitative Sociology · doi:10.1007/s11133-014-9274-z · Cited by 634 · see citing works
Factors Preventing Intra-Family Succession
Massis, A. D., Chua, J. H., & Chrisman, J. J. (2008) · Family Business Review · doi:10.1111/j.1741-6248.2008.00118.x · Cited by 716 · see citing works
Explaining Compassion Organizing
Dutton, J. E., Worline, M. C., Frost, P. J., & Lilius, J. (2006) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2189/asqu.51.1.59 · Cited by 714 · see citing works
Corporate social responsibility in global supply chains
Andersen, M. S., & Skjoett‐Larsen, T. (2009) · Supply Chain Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/13598540910941948 · Cited by 714 · see citing works
Abductive reasoning in logistics research
Kovács, G., & Spens, K. M. (2005) · International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management · doi:10.1108/09600030510590318 · Cited by 692 · see citing works
District Policy and Teachers’ Social Networks
Coburn, C. E., & Russell, J. L. (2008) · Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis · doi:10.3102/0162373708321829 · Cited by 672 · see citing works
The Constant Comparative Analysis Method Outside of Grounded Theory
Fram, S. M. (2015) · The Qualitative Report · doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2013.1569 · Cited by 673 · see citing works
The case study method in family business research: Guidelines for qualitative scholarship
Massis, A. D., & Kotlar, J. (2014) · Journal of Family Business Strategy · doi:10.1016/j.jfbs.2014.01.007 · Cited by 672 · see citing works
The Handbook of Crisis Communication
Coombs, W. T. (2010) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781444314885 · Cited by 638 · see citing works
Fitting Oval Pegs Into Round Holes
Pratt, M. G. (2007) · Organizational Research Methods · doi:10.1177/1094428107303349 · Cited by 641 · see citing works
An exploration of the factors that influence the implementation of evidence into practice
Rycroft‐Malone, J., Harvey, G., Seers, K., Kitson, A., McCormack, B., & Titchen, A. (2004) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2004.01007.x · Cited by 623 · see citing works
Jarzabkowski, P. A., Lê, J. K., & de Ven, A. H. V. (2013) · Strategic Organization · doi:10.1177/1476127013481016 · Cited by 634 · see citing works
“Systematic combining”—A decade later
Dubois, A., & Gadde, L. (2013) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.03.036 · Cited by 615 · see citing works
Observational and interventional study design types; an overview
Thiese, M. S. (2014) · Biochemia Medica · doi:10.11613/bm.2014.022 · Cited by 615 · see citing works
Short on Time: Intertemporal Tensions in Business Sustainability
Slawinski, N., & Bansal, P. (2015) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.2014.0960 · Cited by 608 · see citing works
Mosey, S., & Wright, M. (2007) · Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice · doi:10.1111/j.1540-6520.2007.00203.x · Cited by 590 · see citing works
Kavanagh, M., & Ashkanasy, N. M. (2006) · British Journal of Management · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8551.2006.00480.x · Cited by 586 · see citing works
Maon, F., Lindgreen, A., & Swaen, V. (2008) · Journal of Business Ethics · doi:10.1007/s10551-008-9804-2 · Cited by 585 · see citing works
Templates and Turns in Qualitative Studies of Strategy and Management
Langley, A., & Abdallah, C. (2011) · Research methodology in strategy and management · doi:10.1108/s1479-8387(2011)0000006007 · Cited by 599 · see citing works
Dealing with supply chain risks
Wieland, A., & Wallenburg, C. M. (2012) · International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management · doi:10.1108/09600031211281411 · Cited by 595 · see citing works
Enhancing the Trustworthiness of Qualitative Research in International Business
Sinkovics, R. R., Penz, E., & Ghauri, P. N. (2008) · Management International Review · doi:10.1007/s11575-008-0103-z · Cited by 569 · see citing works
Challenges in transforming manufacturing organisations into product‐service providers
Martinez, V., Bastl, M., Kingston, J., & Evans, S. (2010) · Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management · doi:10.1108/17410381011046571 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
Supply chain collaboration: capabilities for continuous innovation
Soosay, C., Hyland, P. W., & Ferrer, M. (2008) · Supply Chain Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/13598540810860994 · Cited by 564 · see citing works
Networking capability and international entrepreneurship
Mort, G. S., & Weerawardena, J. (2006) · International Marketing Review · doi:10.1108/02651330610703445 · Cited by 569 · see citing works
Networking as a Means to Strategy Change: The Case of Open Innovation in Mobile Telephony
Dittrich, K., & Duysters, G. M. (2007) · Journal of Product Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/j.1540-5885.2007.00268.x · Cited by 559 · see citing works
Case study research methods for theory building
Woodside, A. G., & Wilson, E. J. (2003) · Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing · doi:10.1108/08858620310492374 · Cited by 551 · see citing works
Knowledge Reuse for Innovation
Majchrzak, A., Cooper, L. P., & Neece, O. E. (2004) · Management Science · doi:10.1287/mnsc.1030.0116 · Cited by 545 · see citing works
The Case Study as Disciplinary Convention
Piekkari, R., Welch, C., & Paavilainen, E. (2008) · Organizational Research Methods · doi:10.1177/1094428108319905 · Cited by 546 · see citing works
Servitization of the manufacturing firm
Baines, T. S., & Lightfoot, H. W. (2013) · International Journal of Operations & Production Management · doi:10.1108/ijopm-02-2012-0086 · Cited by 550 · see citing works
Radical Change Accidentally: The Emergence and Amplification of Small Change
Plowman, D. A., Baker, L. T., Beck, T. E., Kulkarni, M., Solansky, S. T., & Travis, D. V. (2007) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2007.25525647 · Cited by 544 · see citing works
Mitigation processes – antecedents for building supply chain resilience
Scholten, K., Scott, P. S., & Fynes, B. (2014) · Supply Chain Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/scm-06-2013-0191 · Cited by 537 · see citing works
Strategic Practices: An Activity Theory Perspective on Continuity and Change
Jarzabkowski, P. A. (2003) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/1467-6486.t01-1-00003 · Cited by 534 · see citing works
A model and typology of collaboration between professionals in healthcare organizations
D’Amour, D., Goulet, L., Labadie, J.-F., Martín‐Rodríguez, L. S., & Pineault, R. (2008) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/1472-6963-8-188 · Cited by 536 · see citing works
Organizational Culture and Effectiveness: Can American Theory Be Applied in Russia?
Fey, C. F., & Denison, D. R. (2003) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.14.6.686.24868 · Cited by 536 · see citing works
The Logic of Qualitative Survey Research and its Position in the Field of Social Research Methods
Jansen, H. A. M. (2010) · Forum qualitative Sozialforschung · doi:10.17169/fqs-11.2.1450 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
Qualitative data: Cooking without a recipe
Graebner, M. E., Martin, J. A., & Roundy, P. T. (2012) · Strategic Organization · doi:10.1177/1476127012452821 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
Qualitative research in marketing
Gummesson, E. (2005) · European Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1108/03090560510581791 · Cited by 517 · see citing works
Ellis, P. D. (2010) · Journal of International Business Studies · doi:10.1057/jibs.2010.20 · Cited by 511 · see citing works
Mitra, D. L. (2004) · Teachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9620.2004.00354.x · Cited by 568 · see citing works
Research Methods in Accounting
SMITH, M. C. (2003) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781849209809 · Cited by 511 · see citing works
Speaking Up to Higher-Ups: How Supervisors and Skip-Level Leaders Influence Employee Voice
Detert, J. R., & Treviño, L. K. (2008) · Organization Science · doi:10.1287/orsc.1080.0405 · Cited by 517 · see citing works
Research methods for sport studies.
Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2004) · Routledge eBooks · Cited by 509 · see citing works
Sustainable supply chain management across the UK private sector
Walker, H., & Jones, N. (2012) · Supply Chain Management An International Journal · doi:10.1108/13598541211212177 · Cited by 503 · see citing works
The smart factory as a key construct of industry 4.0: A systematic literature review
Osterrieder, P., Budde, L., & Friedli, T. K. (2019) · International Journal of Production Economics · doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.08.011 · Cited by 501 · see citing works
Foerstl, K. D., Reuter, C., Hartmann, E., & Blome, C. (2010) · Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management · doi:10.1016/j.pursup.2010.03.011 · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Understanding the differences between how novice and experienced designers approach design tasks
Ahmed‐Kristensen, S., Wallace, K. M., & Blessing, L. T. M. (2003) · Research in Engineering Design · doi:10.1007/s00163-002-0023-z · Cited by 497 · see citing works
Rasmussen, E., Mosey, S., & Wright, M. (2010) · Journal of Management Studies · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2010.00995.x · Cited by 488 · see citing works
Factors influencing word of mouth effectiveness: receiver perspectives
Sweeney, J., Soutar, G. N., & Mazzarol, T. W. (2008) · European Journal of Marketing · doi:10.1108/03090560810852977 · Cited by 493 · see citing works
Management challenges in creating value from business analytics
Vidgen, R., Shaw, S., & Grant, D. B. (2017) · European Journal of Operational Research · doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2017.02.023 · Cited by 493 · see citing works
Customer satisfaction and retention: the experiences of individual employees
Hansemark, O. C., & Albinsson, M. (2004) · Managing Service Quality · doi:10.1108/09604520410513668 · Cited by 494 · see citing works
Resource fit in digital transformation
Liu, D.-Y., Chen, S.-W. M., & Chou, T.-C. (2011) · Management Decision · doi:10.1108/00251741111183852 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
- Authors
- Hartley, J.
- Corresponding author
- Hartley, Jean
- ORCID
- Hartley, Jean
- Venue
- Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications Ltd
- Published
- 2004
- Pages
- 323-333
- OpenAlex
- W1506150625
- Cited by
- 15,461
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 43 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 239 · 2020: 319 · 2019: 376 · 2018: 624 · 2017: 720 · 2016: 902 · 2015: 1245 · 2014: 1497 · 2013: 1452 · 2012: 1300
- FWCI
- 805.52
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks (publishedVersion)
- SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Business and Management Studies
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research
- Keywords
- case study research, qualitative research, organizational analysis, qualitative data collection, qualitative data analysis, organizational psychology, management research
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
