Case Study Evidence Research Articles

Multilevel causal mechanisms in social entrepreneurship: the enabling role of social capital

ABSTRACT We take a new mechanism-based approach to explain how social entrepreneurship emerges from the interaction of multilevel elements, based on case study evidence from China. Informed by Coleman’s ‘boat model’ of social mechanisms, social capital theory and a critical realist ontology, we highlight three mechanisms – the sparking, manifesting and scaling mechanisms – which collectively generate the social entrepreneurship phenomenon. When enabled by social capital, these mechanisms explain the causal relations between the multilevel elements of social entrepreneurship: social needs, social entrepreneurial ideas and practice, market creation and social impact. This framework generates novel insights into the multilevel nature of social entrepreneurship, and the central role of social capital in enabling its underlying mechanisms.

A method for evaluating the regulation capacity of thermostatically controlled load group based on state complementary control strategy

Electric heating load (EHL) is a type of thermostatically controlled load whose power consumption mode can be flexibly adjusted, as long as the customers’ thermal comfort is ensured. The key to unlocking the regulatory potential of EHL lies in characterizing and harnessing its post-aggregation regulatory capacity, given its inherent dispersion and heterogeneity. Firstly, the second-order equivalent thermal parameter (ETP) model, grounded in the thermal equilibrium of the room, is employed to analyze the operational characteristics and to construct a model for aggregating load group. Secondly, leveraging the analysis of individual EHL regulation capacity, the temperature state characteristic quantity is introduced as a sorting index. Considering the dynamic properties of baseline power over time, a control strategy is proposed, based on state complementary characteristics among EHLs, for a more comprehensive and dynamic system management. Finally, the key indexes for reporting and implementation phases are identified to evaluate the regulation capacity of load group. The case study evidences that the newly introduced control strategy and evaluation method can provide more stable regulation power support for power grid dispatching, and more deeply harness the regulation capacity to maximize its potential value. In addition, this paper also discusses the influence of related factors such as the number, the rated power, the inside temperature control interval, the inside temperature setting value and the outside temperature on the regulation ability of the EHL group, offering a robust framework for the dispatching center to devise well-informed and rational regulation instructions.

Farm dams and the need for integrated water storage safety, equity and land-use policy: Comparative case study evidence from Australia

Farm dams that are not planned, designed and managed properly at the individual level can create water storage safety, equity and land-use planning threats to downstream communities and the environment that aggregate at the catchment level. The paper extends previous research and understanding into this threefold phenomenon by exploring the integrated policy needs within the Australian setting. This is achieved through comparative case studies involving assessments of farm dam policies and their integration, and on-site audit-style surveys of dam management practices that are related to the policies in two state jurisdictions, South Australia and Tasmania. These case studies represent weak versus strong farm dam safety, equity and land-use regulatory policies and integration. Survey results in South Australia find most hazardous farm dams studied are not built or maintained to an adequate standard and spillways are blocked and/or under-designed. This results in potentially storing more water than entitled and creating unsafe dams and potential water sharing equity and land-use planning threats at both the individual and cumulative levels in catchments. Survey results in Tasmania are in contrast and hence this state serves as an exemplar of feasible 3-fold integrated policy that is performing effectively. Analysis of results against international regulatory benchmarks finds that in addition to Tasmania's model there are other regulatory options that may better suit different jurisdictions, and cost-effective tools to help integrated policy implementation are also available. Based on these findings policy recommendations for South Australia are made. The paper represents indicative lessons and guidance for any jurisdiction internationally with similar circumstances on how to design suitable integrated policy that helps farm dams and proximate land-use be developed and managed safely and equitably.

From tradition to technological advancement: embracing blockchain technology in family businesses

PurposeDespite the rapid advancement of blockchain technology across various sectors, scholarly research on its application within family businesses remains significantly underdeveloped. This study aims to address this gap by examining the application of blockchain technology within family businesses to identify key application domains, benefits and implementation challenges.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a conceptual approach, drawing on existing literature on family businesses and blockchain technology. This review aimed to identify the unique characteristics of family businesses, their challenges and the distinctive features of blockchain technology that can potentially be mapped to each other. Based on the literature review, we develop a conceptual framework exploring blockchain technology applications in family businesses. Real-world case studies of family businesses that have implemented blockchain technology were identified to provide practical insights and implementation challenges.FindingsBlockchain technology possesses transformative potential for family businesses across several critical domains. It includes enhancing trust and transparency in operations, improving governance and decision-making and facilitating succession planning and intergenerational wealth management. Case study evidence illustrates the tangible benefits of blockchain, including enhanced supply chain transparency, optimized business processes, increased customer trust and resultant business sustainability. Blockchain technology implementation challenges include data privacy concerns, integration with legacy systems, regulatory uncertainty and change management issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by its reliance on existing literature and case studies. It may not capture the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities associated with blockchain applications in family businesses. Future research should focus on longitudinal and empirical research to provide a deeper understanding of the impact of blockchain technology application in family businesses.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by exploring the intersection of family businesses and blockchain technology, an area that has received limited academic attention. It identifies potential application domains of blockchain technology in family businesses and develops a conceptual framework based on existing literature. Through case studies, the research provides practical insights and valuable lessons for family businesses considering blockchain implementation. It also addresses key considerations and challenges, providing a clear roadmap for blockchain technology integration in family businesses. The study lays the groundwork for further research and exploration in blockchain technology and family businesses.

Underexplored food safety hazards of beekeeping products: Key knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research.

These days, a growing consumer demand and scientific interest can be observed for nutraceuticals of natural origin, including apiculture products. Due to the growing emphasis on environmental protection, extensive research has been conducted on the pesticide and heavy metal contamination of bee products; however, less attention is devoted on other food safety aspects. In our review, scientific information on the less-researched food safety hazards of honey, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax are summarized. Bee products originating from certain plants may inherently contain phytotoxins, like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, matrine alkaloids, grayanotoxins, gelsemium alkaloids, or tutin. Several case studies evidence that bee products can induce allergic responses to sensitive individuals, varying from mild to severe symptoms, including the potentially lethal anaphylaxis. Exposure to high temperature or long storage may lead to the formation of the potentially toxic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides, and microplastics can potentially be transferred to bee products from contaminated environmental sources. And lastly, inappropriate beekeeping practices can lead to the contamination of beekeeping products with harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins. Our review demonstrates the necessity of applying good beekeeping practices in order to protect honeybees and consumers of their products. An important aim of our work is to identify key knowledge gaps regarding the food safety of apiculture products.

Successful School Principalship: A Meta-Synthesis of 20 Years of International Case Studies

This meta-synthesis crosses international borders by analyzing successful principalship across nine countries. With careful, detailed, systematic, and analytic synthesis, it critically explores research-informed understandings of successful principal leadership over the last 20 years. The paper is an interim report of reviews of the 85 articles and 23 chapters produced by the International Successful School Principal Project (ISSPP), the largest, longest-running international research project in this field. In that project, success is defined as the principal’s ability to grow and sustain students’ academic, personal, and social developments and achievements over time. The results add to existing knowledge of how successful school principals achieve success by examining high-quality, published case study evidence from Australia, Cyprus, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Spain, the UK, and the US. Results suggest common sets of core values, qualities, and practices among school principals, regardless of national contexts, conditions, or cultures. Because the research design is multi-perspective and multi-layered, the case studies also show significant, context-informed differences in timing, pace, and extent of application of improvement strategies. Thus, the findings of this synthesis paint a thorough and cohesive picture of who successful principals are and what they do over time at the global level to achieve success, as they navigate values-led school success in different contexts and improvement phases within complex internal and external ecological chrono-, macro-, exo-, meso-, and microsystems.

Who has an R&D investment opportunity? Who goes ahead? How much do they invest?

We know a lot about how much firms invest in R&D, but less about the critical first step which is a potential R&D opportunity. We use a large UK survey and detailed case study evidence to establish the chain of events from opportunity to the investment choice. Our results show that 34% of firms had identified an R&D investment opportunity. Realised R&D investment projects were typically between £100,000 and £1/2 m over a 5‐year window. The dominant factors were firm size, industry, equity investment, knowledge and absorptive capacity. The process of R&D management also had an outward, market facing aspect, and an inward, engineering and financial aspect that were often conducted in parallel.

How do entrepreneurs succeed in challenging economic environments in Africa? Case study evidence from Ghana

ABSTRACT The main aim of the study is to explore aspects of entrepreneurs’ motivation and perceptions with reference to prevailing values in a given context in Africa. In the initial sections of the paper, we draw on concepts of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship ecosystem when discussing push and pull factors, access to resources, and Ubuntu. This discussion leads to the formulation of a set of research questions and the presentation of a case study analysis. The case study reveals the extent to which globalization and global events can present as palpable phenomena for small businesses opened by entrepreneurs in Africa. Further, in highlighting altruistically oriented entrepreneurial motivations and actions, the case study raises questions about notions of “necessity” entrepreneurs, given that entrepreneurship in Africa has traditionally been linked to finance and employment as opposed to altruistic and dispositional motivations. In drawing attention to the policy implications of the findings, we highlight that entrepreneurs driven by Ubuntu values are likely to be motivated to address issues of poverty, unemployment and community harmony as compared to those who are primarily motivated by rational-economic factors.

40 years of adding more fructose to high fructose corn syrup than is safe, through the lens of malabsorption and altered gut health–gateways to chronic disease

Labels do not disclose the excess-free-fructose/unpaired-fructose content in foods/beverages. Objective was to estimate excess-free-fructose intake using USDA loss-adjusted-food-availability (LAFA) data (1970–2019) for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and apple juice, major sources of excess-free-fructose, for comparison with malabsorption dosages (~ 5 g-children/ ~ 10 g-adults). Unlike sucrose and equimolar fructose/glucose, unpaired-fructose triggers fructose malabsorption and its health consequences. Daily intakes were calculated for HFCS that is generally-recognized-as-safe/ (55% fructose/45% glucose), and variants (65/35, 60/40) with higher fructose-to-glucose ratios (1.9:1, 1.5:1), as measured by independent laboratories. Estimations include consumer-level-loss (CLL) allowances used before (20%), and after, subjective, retroactively-applied increases (34%), as recommended by corn-refiners (~ 2012). No contributions from crystalline-fructose or agave syrup were included due to lack of LAFA data. High-excess-free-fructose-fruits (apples/pears/watermelons/mangoes) were not included. Eaten in moderation they are less likely to trigger malabsorption. Another objective was to identify potential parallel trends between excess-free-fructose intake and the “unexplained” US asthma epidemic. The fructose/gut-dysbiosis/lung axis is well documented, case-study evidence and epidemiological research link HFCS/apple juice intake with asthma, and unlike gut-dysbiosis/gut-fructosylation, childhood asthma prevalence data spans > 40 years.ResultsExcess-free-fructose daily intake for individuals consuming HFCS with an average 1.5:1 fructose-to-glucose ratio, ranged from 0.10 g/d in 1970, to 11.3 g/d in 1999, to 6.5 g/d in 2019, and for those consuming HFCS with an average 1.9:1 ratio, intakes ranged from 0.13 g/d to 16.9 g/d (1999), to 9.7 g/d in 2019, based upon estimates with a 20% CLL allowance. Intake exceeded dosages that trigger malabsorption (~ 5 g) around ~ 1980. By the early 1980’s, tripled apple juice intake had added ~ 0.5 g to average-per-capita excess-free-fructose intake. Contributions were higher (~ 3.8 g /4-oz.) for individuals consuming apple juice consistent with a healthy eating pattern (4-oz. children, 8-oz. adults). The “unexplained” childhood asthma epidemic (1980-present) parallels increasing average-per-capita HFCS/apple juice intake trends and reflects epidemiological research findings.ConclusionDisplacement of sucrose with HFCS, its ubiquitous presence in the US food-supply, the industry practice of adding more fructose to HFCS than generally-recognized-as-safe, and increased use of apple juice/crystalline fructose/agave syrup in foods/beverages has contributed to unprecedented excess-free-fructose intake levels, fructose malabsorption, gut-dysbiosis and gut-fructosylation (immunogen burden)-gateways to chronic disease.

Engaging, motivating, and supporting students through feedback

Learning is iterative. It takes time and effort. Real progress in any subject requires we engage, motivate, and support learners as they take next steps to improve their work. Brent Duckor and Carrie Holmberg show how teachers can use progress guides as a formative feedback tool to re-engage and support students where they are, while keeping the focus on concrete steps they can take to move forward in the learning cycle. Drawing from research and case study evidence, they highlight how students and teachers can move conversations forward in safe and respectful ways. Without relying on graded judgments, the progress guide approach preserves the goals of continuous improvement and recenters learning for all students.

Potato and Potato Seed Production Under Contract Farming—a Study from Empirical Evidence of Case Studies

Potato and Potato Seed Production Under Contract Farming—a Study from Empirical Evidence of Case Studies

Backwards Planning with Generative AI: Case Study Evidence from US K12 Teachers

Backwards Planning with Generative AI: Case Study Evidence from US K12 Teachers

Synthesising Practice-Based Case Study Evidence From Community Interventions: Development of a Method

Practice-based case studies that describe learning from implementation are a useful source of evidence for policy makers, practitioners and researchers. Despite the value of narratives developed in context as a form of experiential or applied evidence, little is known about appropriate qualitative review and synthesis methods to deal with multiple practice-based case studies. This paper reports on a methodological study to develop and pilot a synthesis method using a sample of community wellbeing case studies focused on interventions to improve community infrastructure. The study was conducted in four interlinked phases: (i) literature review to scope synthesis methods (ii) piloting search and selection methods to identify a sample of relevant practice-based case studies that reported experiential learning (iii) undertaking cross case analysis and qualitative synthesis based on framework analysis methods (iv) review and reflection to produce a summative account of the method and agreed definition. The main output from the study was a staged approach to qualitative synthesis of practice-based case studies based on seven steps, which move from identification of a conceptual framework through to producing a narrative report. The potential transferability of this approach and its application in research and policy are critically discussed. Synthesis of case studies derived from community-based interventions could address knowledge gaps in the formal evidence base. While further methodological development is warranted, it is argued that study results form a credible qualitative framework for synthesising practice-based evidence.

Scholar’s vocabulary-knowledge favored listening-reading tenets: Concurrences from Madura

The study objective was to seek the favored tenets betwixt mobile-assisted-language-learning (MALL) listening-reading appliances by video-conferencing-technology (VCT) and direct-listening-reading appliances to Madurese-scholar’s second-language (L2) vocabulary-knowledge (VK) listening-reading competencies. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), which produced concurrences, contained 41 scholars in two distinct emplacements amidst a Madurese-scholars preponderance and the different amounts in groups. Several significant conclusions emerged from the current ANOVA analysis. First, the comprehensive implication betwixt MALL listening-reading-appliance and direct-listening-reading-appliance to scholar’s L2-VK listening-reading competencies was not substantiated because it was more than level significant (0.440>0.05). Second, we convened cognizance by direct perception, inside and outside deliberation, and documented it. Third, the cross-examination eventualities of perception-documentation were coded, and research eventualities established the Madurese-scholar higher education framework to pervade case study evidence vacuity that aims to scrutinize: i) the Madurese-scholar teaching-learning peculiarities performance of MALL-VCT-Zoom and Smart-TV multimedia edification; ii) Madurese-scholar interminable concurrences in MALL-VCT-Zoom and Smart-TV; and iii) impediments obtain by MALL-VCT-Zoom and Smart-TV during participation in edification. Irrevocably, concurrence betwixt MALL-VCT-Zoom and smart-TV to scholars’ L2-VK listening-reading competencies were interrelated impacts as Madurese-scholars can learn conveniently with their necessity and concurrently utilize smart-TV or Zoom despite their impediments.

Hallmarks of Integrated Thinking

Integrated Thinking, the management approach associated with Integrated Reporting, has been hailed as a way of improving organisational decision-making and internal communication, leading to sustainable value creation. Yet Integrated Thinking remains poorly defined and understood. By analysing and synthesising the findings from an emerging body of case study evidence, this paper brings new theoretical insights into how Integrated Thinking is conceptualised and practised and its unique relationship with Integrated Reporting. We reveal Integrated Thinking to bring considerable tension to organisations as managers attempt to adapt to conflicting stakeholder priorities. Organisations which manage this tension and experience some success with Integrated Thinking typically exhibit four ‘hallmarks’, namely: 1) a deliberate drive by the board and CEO to encourage Integrated Thinking, 2) an Integrated Strategy developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and understanding of value creation, 3) the creation, or enhancement, of an organisational culture of trust and collaboration, and 4) the development of Integrated Intelligence, comprising integrated Performance Management Systems (PMS) and the use of multi-functional teams for decision-making. We present a new conceptual framework of Integrated Thinking in practice, reflect on its relationship with developments in sustainable management practices more broadly and propose several avenues for future research.

Democracy and lived poverty in Africa

ABSTRACT Past research on the relationship between democracy and poverty in Africa has produced surprisingly mixed findings. We argue that one source of variation is in the measures of democracy and poverty used by prior studies, which capture different concepts and contain different amounts of error. Using measures that map closely onto theory and which are directly comparable across countries, we show that electoral democracy is robustly correlated with small-but-significant reductions in lived poverty over time. We provide additional quantitative and case study evidence that accountability encourages governments to take swift action on poverty. Finally, we show that our results are sensitive to measurement choices, helping to explain null results in prior literature. Altogether our results suggest that empowering the poor in Africa will ultimately lead to meaningful reductions in poverty.

Measure what matters: considerations for outcome measurement of care coordination for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and medical complexity.

Care Coordination (CC) is a significant intervention to enhance family's capacity in caring for children with neurodevelopmental disability and medical complexity (NDD-MC). CC assists with integration of medical and behavioral care and services, partnerships with medical and community-based supports, and access to medical, behavioral, and educational supports and services. Although there is some consensus on the principles that characterize optimal CC for children with NDD-MC, challenges remain in measuring and quantifying the impacts of CC related to these principles. Two key challenges include: (1) identification of measures that capture CC impacts from the medical system, care provider, and family perspectives; and (2) recognition of the important community context outside of a hospital or clinical setting. This study used a multilevel model variant of the triangulation mixed methods design to assess the impact of a CC project implemented in Alberta, Canada, on family quality of life, resource use, and care integration at the broader environmental and household levels. At the broader environmental level, we used linked administrative data. At the household level we used quantitative pre-post survey datasets, and aggregate findings from qualitative interviews to measure group-level impacts and an embedded multiple-case design to draw comparisons, capture the nuances of children with NDD-MC and their families, and expand on factors driving the high variability in outcome measures. Three theoretical propositions formed the basis of the analytical strategy for our case study evidence to explore factors affecting the high variability in outcome measures. This study expanded on the factors used to measure the outcomes of CC and adds to our understanding of how CC as an intervention impacts resource use, quality of life, and care integration of children with NDD-MC and their families. Given the heterogeneous nature of this population, evaluation studies that account for the variable and multi-level impacts of CC interventions are critical to inform practice, implementation, and policy of CC for children with NDD-MC.

Harry Potter: A Pedagogical Tool to Teach Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy

Since its conception, the Harry Potter franchise has become a cultural phenomenon which transgresses national borders. As many Potter fans struggle with how to manage their fandom in the face of author J.K. Rowling’s transphobic stance, the book series may ironically and more specifically be used to improve attitudes toward the LGBTQ + community. By using academic theory–such as Rudine Sims Bishop’s concept of mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors–and specific examples of application in a classroom environment, this paper shows that the Potter books may be offered as powerful pedagogical tools to positively affect the attitudes of "insiders" toward "outsiders." This essay classifies LGBTQ + and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) populations as "outsiders," and non-LGBTQ + and non-BIPOC groups as "insiders," and it cites specific case study evidence in Latin America to signify the importance of this issue on a global scale.

Enhancing Data Engineering Frameworks for Scalable Real-Time Marketing Solutions

This report discusses improvements to the data engineering frameworks for cost-efficient real-time marketing environment, with the applications in mobile advertising and smart city analytics. The proposed framework combines the processing of time-series data with map-reduce (M-R) systems in order to compensate for inefficiencies in the execution of temporal queries and the processing of real-time data streams. It enables effective behavioral targeting in mobile marketing and helps integrate various domains’ real-time data for smart city utilization. Specific examples that illustrate further refinements in the algorithms are showcased through case study and experimental evidence where gains in throughput, data reliability, and system effectiveness are quantified in real-time Marketing and Smart City applications.

The distributional impact of structural transformation in rural India: case-study evidence and model-based simulation

The North Indian village of Palanpur has been the subject of close study over a period of six decades from 1957/8 to 2015. Himanshu et al. (2018) document the evolution of the village economy over this period and point to two distinct drivers of growth and distribution of income. An early period of agricultural intensification associated with the green revolution saw an expansion of irrigation and the introduction of new agricultural technologies, leading to rising incomes accompanied by falling poverty and fairly stable, or even declining, income inequality. From about the mid-1970s onwards, a cumulative process of non-farm diversification took hold, and was associated with further growth and poverty decline but also a significant rise in income inequality. Such a process of structural transformation has been observed more widely in rural India. We construct a simple model of a village economy that captures several of the salient features of the Palanpur economy and society, and that is able to reproduce the distributional outcomes observed in the village. Our analysis suggests that while non-farm diversification occurred alongside rising inequality, the counterfactual of no diversification would in fact be associated with an even greater increase. We suggest therefore that non-farm diversification has in fact helped to contain growth in inequality, and has played a particularly pronounced role in reducing poverty. To the extent that other villages in India share features similar to Palanpur, our findings may also hold elsewhere.