Case Studies

Case Studies

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Case studies • To give unique understanding rather than  form generalisations • Used for hypothesis development and the  evolution of research questions • Prelude to a larger cross sectional study• Provide a flavour – in the form of vignettes

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Four categories 1. To explain the causal links in real­life  interventions – often too complex for  more general approaches 2. To describe the context around the  intervention 3. Illustrative – to give examples to others 4. To evaluate and intervention or practice

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Case study types • Cases of individuals• Company• Supply chain• Customers• Market

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Benchmarking • To compare with theory• To compare with best in class• Must establish measurement criteria

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Methods • Multiple methods are used and multiple  sources of evidence • Observation• Secondary data• Interviews• Internal surveys

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Problems • Hard to generalise – so what is the value  of case studies – too particular! • Hard to avoid researcher bias – often a  participant • Hard to avoid unrepresentative subjects

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Structure of a case study • Context/background – a rich description of  what is going on. • Compare rich description with theory• Validate – analyse secondary sources –  company annual reports etc. • Find out reasons – interviews with key  participants • Find out ef ects – wider survey• Conclusions and evaluation

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Lashley & Statnikova 2003

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Eisenhardt Theory Building

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Essential References • Eisenhardt K. M., 1989. Building Theories From Case Study Research, Academy of Management. The Academy of Management Review; 14, 4: 532-550. Available at http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~sil ito/cpsc-601.23/readings/eisenhardt-1989.pdf • Yin R. K. 2003. Case study research, design and methods: London: Sage Publications • Meredith, J. 1998, Building operations management theory through case and field research, Journal of Operations Management, 16, 4, 441 – 454. • Lashley, K. and Statnikova, K. 2003. Qualitative Research – Case Study, http://www2.owen.vanderbilt.edu/david.dilts/Mgt676_Research_Methods/12_Case_Studies.ppt • Stam E. 2008, Case Study Research, University of Cambridge, http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/resmeth/slides/08case_study_research_cam.ppt • Tzortzopoulos P. 2008. Case Study Research, 8th BuHu Conference 27th June 2008. http://www.ipgrc.buhu.salford.ac.uk/2008/docs/Case%20study%20research_Patricia.ppt

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