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A different causal perspective with Necessary Condition Analysis

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  • Dul, Jan

Abstract

This article delves deeper into the causal perspective of Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). In contrast to traditional probabilistic sufficiency approaches in quantitative social science research about what will happen on average in a group of cases, NCA is interested in what will not occur in almost every case if a necessary condition is absent. Rooted in David Hume's theory of causation NCA explores factors that act as ‘must-haves’ or bottlenecks for the outcome. Operating from this necessity perspective, NCA functions deterministically (without exceptions) or non-deterministically (allowing exceptions). NCA can enrich theories and models in social science research by identifying essential factors. The article contributes to the literature by precisely describing the necessity causal perspective that is used in NCA, and by explaining how this is different from causal perspectives that are commonly used in social science research.

Suggested Citation

  • Dul, Jan, 2024. "A different causal perspective with Necessary Condition Analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:177:y:2024:i:c:s014829632400122x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114618
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jon Bokrantz & Jan Dul, 2023. "Building and testing necessity theories in supply chain management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 59(1), pages 48-65, January.
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    8. Hauff, Sven & Richter, Nicole Franziska & Sarstedt, Marko & Ringle, Christian M., 2024. "Importance and performance in PLS-SEM and NCA: Introducing the combined importance-performance map analysis (cIPMA)," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
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    11. Cassia, Fabio & Magno, Francesca, 2024. "The value of self-determination theory in marketing studies: Insights from the application of PLS-SEM and NCA to anti-food waste apps," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    12. Herman Aguinis & Ravi S Ramani & Wayne F Cascio, 2020. "Methodological practices in international business research: An after-action review of challenges and solutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1593-1608, December.
    13. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    14. Jan Dul & Sven Hauff & Ricarda B. Bouncken, 2023. "Correction: Necessary condition analysis (NCA): review of research topics and guidelines for good practice," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1535-1537, May.
    15. Jan Dul & Sven Hauff & Ricarda B. Bouncken, 2023. "Necessary condition analysis (NCA): review of research topics and guidelines for good practice," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 683-714, February.
    16. Roel Rutten, 2023. "Uncertainty, Possibility, and Causal Power in QCA," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 52(4), pages 1707-1736, November.
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    18. Dul, Jan, 2016. "Identifying single necessary conditions with NCA and fsQCA," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 1516-1523.
    19. Bouncken, Ricarda & Ratzmann, Martin & Barwinski, Roman & Kraus, Sascha, 2020. "Coworking spaces: Empowerment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital and sharing economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 102-110.
    20. Pedro Torres & Pedro Godinho, 2022. "Levels of necessity of entrepreneurial ecosystems elements," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 29-45, June.
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