IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/jintbs/v53y2022i1d10.1057_s41267-021-00477-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Alternative typologies of case study theorizing: Causal explanation versus theory development as a classification dimension

Author

Listed:
  • Eric W. K. Tsang

    (University of Texas at Dallas)

Abstract

Ten years ago, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki, and Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011) constructed a typology of theorizing from case studies based on the trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization. The typology consists of four methods of theorizing – interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, inductive theory-building, and natural experiment. While Welch et al.’s work to enrich case study theorizing is commendable, the alleged trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization does not in fact exist and the classification dimension of causal explanation fails to reflect the actual practice of case researchers. I propose an alternative typology that includes theory development as a new dimension in place of causal explanation. The four revised methods of theorizing thus become interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, identification of empirical regularities and theory building and testing. The alternative typology contributes to a more pluralistic methodological approach to guide case researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric W. K. Tsang, 2022. "Alternative typologies of case study theorizing: Causal explanation versus theory development as a classification dimension," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(1), pages 53-63, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:53:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1057_s41267-021-00477-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41267-021-00477-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41267-021-00477-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41267-021-00477-4?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. Eriksson, Taina & Nummela, Niina & Saarenketo, Sami, 2014. "Dynamic capability in a small global factory," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 169-180.
    2. Meyer, Klaus E. & Thein, Htwe Htwe, 2014. "Business under adverse home country institutions: The case of international sanctions against Myanmar," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 156-171.
    3. Barry Wilkinson & Jos Gamble & John Humphrey & Jonathan Morris & Doug Anthony, 2001. "The New International Division of Labour in Asian Electronics: Work Organization and Human Resources in Japan and Malaysia," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 675-695, July.
    4. Tsang, Eric W.K., 2013. "Case study methodology: causal explanation, contextualization, and theorizing," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 195-202.
    5. Andrew D. Brown, 2006. "A Narrative Approach to Collective Identities," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(4), pages 731-753, June.
    6. Peter Leung-Kwong Wong & Paul Ellis, 2002. "Social Ties and Partner Identification in Sino-Hong Kong International Joint Ventures," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 33(2), pages 267-289, June.
    7. Cooper, Maggie & Nguyen, Quyen T.K., 2019. "Understanding the interaction of motivation and opportunity for tax planning inside US multinationals: A qualitative study," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(6), pages 1-1.
    8. Sally Maitlis & Thomas B. Lawrence, 2003. "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: Understanding Failure in Organizational Strategizing," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 109-139, January.
    9. Catherine Welch & Rebecca Piekkari & Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki & Eriikka Paavilainen-Mantymaki, 2011. "Theorising from case studies: Towards a pluralist future for international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(5), pages 740-762, June.
    10. Brock, David M. & Hydle, Katja Maria, 2018. "Transnationality – Sharpening the Integration-Responsiveness vision in global professional firms," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 117-124.
    11. Donal Crilly, 2011. "Predicting stakeholder orientation in the multinational enterprise: A mid-range theory," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(5), pages 694-717, June.
    12. Kai‐Man Kwan & Eric W. K. Tsang, 2001. "Realism and constructivism in strategy research: a critical realist response to Mir and Watson," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(12), pages 1163-1168, December.
    13. Esther Tippmann & Pamela Sharkey Scott & Vincent Mangematin, 2012. "Problem solving in MNCs: How local and global solutions are (and are not) created," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(8), pages 746-771, October.
    14. Steve Maguire & Nelson Phillips, 2008. "‘Citibankers’ at Citigroup: A Study of the Loss of Institutional Trust after a Merger," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 372-401, March.
    15. Martin Tolich & Martin Kennedy & Nicole Biggart, 1999. "Managing the Managers: Japanese Management Strategies in the USA," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(5), pages 587-607, September.
    16. Janet Harvey & Andrew Pettigrew & Ewan Ferlie, 2002. "The Determinants Of Research Group Performance: Towards Mode 2?," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(6), pages 747-774, September.
    17. Anthony Ferner & Phil Almond & Trevor Colling, 2005. "Institutional theory and the cross-national transfer of employment policy: the case of ‘workforce diversity’ in US multinationals," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 36(3), pages 304-321, May.
    18. Dimitratos, Pavlos & Buck, Trevor & Fletcher, Margaret & Li, Nicolas, 2016. "The motivation of international entrepreneurship: The case of Chinese transnational entrepreneurs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1103-1113.
    19. Wilson Ng & Christian De Cock, 2002. "Battle in the Boardroom: A Discursive Perspective," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(1), pages 23-49, January.
    20. Vanninen, Heini & Kuivalainen, Olli & Ciravegna, Luciano, 2017. "Rapid multinationalization: Propositions for studying born micromultinationals," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 365-379.
    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. Tsang, Eric W.K., 2013. "Case study methodology: causal explanation, contextualization, and theorizing," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 195-202.
    2. Betty Feng, Jing & Liu, Steven Y.H. & Anne Liu, Leigh, 2023. "Cognitive antecedents of EMNEs’ dynamic capabilities: A case study of global identity at Lenovo," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    3. Catherine Welch & Eriikka Paavilainen-Mäntymäki & Rebecca Piekkari & Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki, 2022. "Reconciling theory and context: How the case study can set a new agenda for international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(1), pages 4-26, February.
    4. Bunz, Thorsten & Casulli, Lucrezia & Jones, Marian V & Bausch, Andreas, 2017. "The dynamics of experiential learning: Microprocesses and adaptation in a professional service INV," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 225-238.
    5. Kotapati Srinivasa Reddy, 2015. "Beating the Odds! Build theory from emerging markets phenomenon and the emergence of case study research—A “Test-Tube” typology," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(1), pages 1037225-103, December.
    6. Dhanesh, Ganga S. & Sriramesh, Krishnamurthy, 2018. "Culture and Crisis Communication: Nestle India's Maggi Noodles Case," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 204-214.
    7. Rodrigues, Suzana B. & Dieleman, Marleen, 2018. "The internationalization paradox: Untangling dependence in multinational state hybrids," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 39-51.
    8. Fortwengel, Johann & Gutierrez Huerter O, Gabriela & Kostova, Tatiana, 2023. "Three decades of research on practice transfer in multinational firms: Past contributions and future opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(3).
    9. Edward Gilmore & Ulf Andersson & Noushan Memar, . "How subsidiaries influence innovation in the MNE value chain," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    10. Wei, Tian & Clegg, Jeremy, 2014. "Successful integration of target firms in international acquisitions: A comparative study in the Medical Technology industry," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 237-255.
    11. Goxe, François & Mayrhofer, Ulrike & Kuivalainen, Olli, 2022. "Argonauts and Icaruses: Social networks and dynamics of nascent international entrepreneurs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1).
    12. Schmidt, Heiko M. & Santamaria-Alvarez, Sandra Milena, 2022. "Routines in International Business: A semi-systematic review of the concept," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(2).
    13. Lawton, Thomas C. & De Villa, Maria Andrea & Santamaria-Alvarez, Sandra Milena, 2024. "Making Sense of Socio-Political Risks in International Business: A Configurational Approach to Embracing Complexity," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(2).
    14. Tippmann, Esther & Sharkey Scott, Pamela & Reilly, Marty & O’Brien, Donal, 2018. "Subsidiary coopetition competence: Navigating subsidiary evolution in the multinational corporation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 540-554.
    15. Gabriela Gutierrez-Huerter O & Jeremy Moon & Stefan Gold & Wendy Chapple, 2020. "Micro-processes of translation in the transfer of practices from MNE headquarters to foreign subsidiaries: The role of subsidiary translators," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(3), pages 389-413, April.
    16. McWilliam, Sarah E. & Kim, Jung Kwan & Mudambi, Ram & Nielsen, Bo Bernhard, 2020. "Global value chain governance: Intersections with international business," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(4).
    17. Elizabeth Goodrick & Trish Reay, 2010. "Florence Nightingale Endures: Legitimizing a New Professional Role Identity," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 55-84, January.
    18. Dimitratos, Pavlos & Buck, Trevor & Fletcher, Margaret & Li, Nicolas, 2016. "The motivation of international entrepreneurship: The case of Chinese transnational entrepreneurs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1103-1113.
    19. Cooper, Maggie & Nguyen, Quyen T.K., 2019. "Understanding the interaction of motivation and opportunity for tax planning inside US multinationals: A qualitative study," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(6), pages 1-1.
    20. Pereira, Vijay & Tuffour, James & Patnaik, Swetketu & Temouri, Yama & Malik, Ashish & Singh, Sanjay Kumar, 2021. "The quest for CSR: Mapping responsible and irresponsible practices in an intra-organizational context in Ghana’s gold mining industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 268-281.

    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:pal:jintbs:v:53:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1057_s41267-021-00477-4. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    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.