Abstract
It is crucial to assess how technology and innovation management (TIM) scholars use case‐based research. Our study provides a theoretical systematic review of qualitative case‐based articles published in 31 TIM journals from 2013 to 2018. Our analysis of 311 articles uncovers patterns regarding rigor (including case justification and selection), transparency (including data collection and analytical methods), and paradigmatic consistency and pluralism. Our findings show some evidence of emerging pluralism in how TIM researchers perform qualitative case studies, but also highlight some worrying trends: paradigmatic inconsistencies, lack of transparency, and over‐reliance on specific approaches, all of which affect the value of case study research. We provide methodological guidelines for improving the use of qualitative case research in TIM.
Highlights
Case-study approaches have gained popularity and recognition for their potential to extend and test theory (e.g. Bansal and Corley, 2011)
We argue that (iv) assessment frameworks such as CASET (Goffin et al, 2019) are useful in guiding positivistic case study approaches, they might restrict the diversity of case studies in technology and innovation management (TIM) and hinder the understanding of this field
Our study contributes to the TIM literature by uncovering patterns regarding rigor, transparency, and paradigmatic consistency and pluralism in the three approaches currently employed by TIM researchers
Summary
Case-study approaches have gained popularity and recognition for their potential to extend and test theory (e.g. Bansal and Corley, 2011). Bansal and Corley, 2011) They are especially useful for examining emerging or new phenomena and inductive theory building (Eisenhardt, 1989; Yin, 1994; Stake, 1995). The present review builds on and complements existing studies by analyzing how case studies are currently used in TIM, considering a relatively wide range of outlets. It assesses paradigmatic consistency – the extent to which case study practices in TIM are consistent with the paradigmatic assumptions underlying them. This is motivated by the fact that, of indisputable value, most reviews of case-study practices focus on rigor and transparency
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