Using qualitative comparative analysis in strategic management research: An examination of combinations of industry, corporate, and business-unit effects

Thomas Greckhamer, Vilmos F. Misangyi, Heather Elms, Rodney Lacey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

321 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors present qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as a viable method for strategic management research. Specifically, they demonstrate its ability to examine the potential interdependence and complexity among effects through a study of how industry, corporate, and business-unit attributes combine in determining business-unit performance. They present in an accessible manner the consecutive phases of the QCA approach by analyzing a sample of 2,841 cases of business-unit performance, and they examine the insights that the QCA analysis provides for this particular stream of literature. The authors conclude with a discussion of the benefits and limitations QCA poses for strategic management research more generally, including major contingencies under which QCA or linear methods may be more appropriate for strategy research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)695-726
Number of pages32
JournalOrganizational Research Methods
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Decision Sciences
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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