IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v67y2014i6p1277-1284.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

“Systematic combining”—A decade later

Author

Listed:
  • Dubois, Anna
  • Gadde, Lars-Erik

Abstract

Ten years ago we published a paper in this journal: “Systematic Combining—An abductive approach to case research”. The aim of the present paper is to further articulate and emphasize key features of ‘systematic combining’ as a non-linear, non-positivist approach, in contrast to the mainstream perspectives on case research as represented, for example. The discussion revolves around three themes. First, we compare case studies based on replication logic with single case research. Second, we discuss the research processes in studies relying on these approaches. Third, we analyze the types of theories that can be developed from these two kinds of studies. We then discuss some general problems related to the assessment of the quality of the type of case studies we advocate. The paper ends with a concluding discussion addressing the opportunities available for case research, of which systematic combining is one of many alternative approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Dubois, Anna & Gadde, Lars-Erik, 2014. "“Systematic combining”—A decade later," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1277-1284.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:67:y:2014:i:6:p:1277-1284
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.03.036
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014829631300132X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.03.036?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Timothy Clark & Mike Wright, 2009. "So, Farewell Then . . . Reflections on Editing the Journal of Management Studies," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(1), pages 1-9, January.
    2. Halinen, Aino & Tornroos, Jan-Ake, 2005. "Using case methods in the study of contemporary business networks," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 58(9), pages 1285-1297, September.
    3. Leila Hurmerinta-Peltomäki & Niina Nummela, 2006. "Mixed methods in international business research: A value-added perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 439-459, August.
    4. Huff, Anne Sigismund & Huff, James Oran, 2001. "When Firms Change Direction," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195136432.
    5. Polsa, Pia, 2013. "The crossover-dialog approach: The importance of multiple methods for international business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(3), pages 288-297.
    6. Dubois, Anna & Gadde, Lars-Erik, 2002. "Systematic combining: an abductive approach to case research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 55(7), pages 553-560, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Olsen, Per Ingvar & Prenkert, Frans & Hoholm, Thomas & Harrison, Debbie, 2014. "The dynamics of networked power in a concentrated business network," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2579-2589.
    2. Burström, Thommie & Parida, Vinit & Lahti, Tom & Wincent, Joakim, 2021. "AI-enabled business-model innovation and transformation in industrial ecosystems: A framework, model and outline for further research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-95.
    3. Drummond, Conor & McGrath, Helen & O'Toole, Thomas, 2023. "Beyond the platform: Social media as a multi-faceted resource in value creation for entrepreneurial firms in a collaborative network," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    4. Sufyan, Muhammad & Degbey, William Y. & Glavee-Geo, Richard & Zoogah, Baniyelme D., 2023. "Transnational digital entrepreneurship and enterprise effectiveness: A micro-foundational perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    5. Chou, Hsin-Hui & Zolkiewski, Judy, 2012. "Managing resource interaction as a means to cope with technological change," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 188-195.
    6. Poulis, Konstantinos & Poulis, Efthimios & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella, 2013. "The role of context in case study selection: An international business perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 304-314.
    7. Butler, Bella & Soontiens, Werner, 2015. "Offshoring of higher education services in strategic nets: A dynamic capabilities perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 477-490.
    8. Mele, Cristina & Russo Spena, Tiziana & Kaartemo, Valtteri & Marzullo, Maria Luisa, 2021. "Smart nudging: How cognitive technologies enable choice architectures for value co-creation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 949-960.
    9. Andrea Runfola & Simone Guercini & Gianluca Gregori & Andrea Perna, 2013. "Discontinuity in interaction. findings from two cases in the Italian context," MERCATI & COMPETITIVIT?, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2013(1), pages 53-72.
    10. Runfola, Andrea & Perna, Andrea & Baraldi, Enrico & Gregori, Gian Luca, 2017. "The use of qualitative case studies in top business and management journals: A quantitative analysis of recent patterns," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 116-127.
    11. Ojansivu, Ilkka & Laari-Salmela, Sari & Hermes, Jan, 2022. "The social impact of the Nokia-Elcoteq business relationship: Examining the consequences of legitimating relationship norms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 193-206.
    12. Lundberg, Heléne & Andresen, Edith & Törnroos, Jan-Åke, 2016. "Understanding network emergence after turbulent industrial relocation: A Swedish biorefinery initiative," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 475-483.
    13. Lind, Frida & Holmen, Elsebeth & Pedersen, Ann-Charlott, 2012. "Moving resources across permeable project boundaries in open network contexts," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 177-185.
    14. Valkokari, Katri, 2015. "Describing network dynamics in three different business nets," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 219-231.
    15. Päivikki Kuoppakangas & Sirkka Hagman & Jari Stenvall & Tony Kinder, 2024. "Social Learning and Reputation Management in an Espionage Crisis," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 27(4), pages 271-282, November.
    16. Suomi, Kati & Luonila, Mervi & Tähtinen, Jaana, 2020. "Ironic festival brand co-creation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 211-220.
    17. Frans Prenkert, 2012. "Business Network Simulation: Combining Research Cases and Agent-Based Models in a Robust Methodology," International Journal of Business Administration, International Journal of Business Administration, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(6), pages 82-92, November.
    18. Hilde Nykamp, 2020. "Policy Mix for a Transition to Sustainability: Green Buildings in Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, January.
    19. Selena Aureli & Andrea Cardoni & Mara Del Baldo & Rosa Lombardi, 2018. "The Balanced Scorecard Logic in The Management Control and Reporting of Small Business Company Networks: A Case Study," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 17(2), pages 191-215, June.
    20. Hadjielias, Elias & Christofi, Michael & Vrontis, Demetris & Khan, Huda, 2022. "Social impact through family firms’ interorganizational relationships within a community and a cooperative: An embedded view of stewardship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 584-601.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:67:y:2014:i:6:p:1277-1284. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.