Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research Articles

New public management marketizers versus Neo-Weberian state modernizers? Institutional configurations of social impact bond utilization among 18 OECD countries

ABSTRACT Social Impact Bonds (SIBs), a New Public Management (NPM)-style commissioning model, contain elements of other reform framings, widening their appeal and potential for variation in differing reform contexts. This study implements a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), seeking configurations explaining SIB uptake across 18 OECD countries. The two high-utilization configurations produce an Anglo-American model of NPM marketizers and a European model of Neo-Weberian State (NWS) modernizers, whereas the four low-utilization configurations include exclusively NWS modernizers and maintainers, suggesting SIBs as a fertile case study of public management reform tools adapting and trajectories merging in differing national administrative cultures and contexts.

Fragmented property rights and their risks on foreclosed housing: a qualitative comparative analysis based on judicial auctions in China

During China’s transition towards land and housing marketization in the 1980s to 1990s, a series of legal and policy arrangements led to the separation of land ownership from land-use rights, followed by the separation of housing ownership from land-use rights. This has institutionally fragmented the housing property rights, allowing properties to be financialized as collaterals. Consequently, the fragmentation of housing property rights inflicts substantial risks on judicial auctions of foreclosed housing. As China’s real estate sector is grappling with a mounting debt crisis, it becomes imperative to enhance the efficiency of judicial auctions to address bank debts and stabilize the housing financial system. By employing the cs-QCA method with a dataset comprising 136 cases of foreclosed properties, this study reveals the critical role of various configurations of property-rights risks in determining the outcome of judicial auctions. Additionally, it identifies the importance of credible commitments offered by the courts in mitigating property-rights risks. The research expects to provide practical and theoretical insights for China’s courts and financial institutions to manage foreclosed properties effectively.

Factors influencing continuance intention in blended learning among business school students in China: based on grounded theory and FsQCA

ABSTRACT This research study aims to explore the factors that influence continuance intention in Blended learning (BL) among business school students in China. By employing a grounded theory approach and utilizing the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) method, the research investigates the complex interplay of various variables that contribute to business school students’ intention to continue participating in BL programs. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of factors such as self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, task-technology fit, social influence, and satisfaction. The findings provide valuable insights into the factors that drive business school students’ continuance intention in BL, specifically within the business school context in China. Moreover, the study highlights the non-linear relationships and various configurations of these factors that result in high levels of continuance intention. The results contribute to the existing knowledge base and inform educational institutions in designing effective strategies to enhance business school students’ engagement and promote the long-term success of BL initiatives.

Social media marketing and brand loyalty: exploring interrelationships through symmetrical and asymmetrical modeling

Purpose This study aims to examine the interrelationships between social media marketing activities, self-brand connections, brand equity, trust and loyalty. Design/methodology/approach A total of 402 valid responses were collected from Amazon MTurk, and the data were subjected to partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings Findings indicate that social media marketing activities strongly and positively influence self-brand connection, brand equity and brand trust. Moreover, brand loyalty was strongly and positively influenced by self-brand connection, brand equity and brand trust. Moreover, the findings from fsQCA indicate that three causal paths lead to a high level of brand loyalty, and one causal path determines a low level of brand loyalty. Originality/value This research extends current knowledge by bridging the literature between social media marketing activities and branding using self-brand connections. Additionally, this study uses the strength of two complimentary methods – symmetrical and asymmetrical modeling – to uncover how social media marketing activities bridge customer-brand relationships.

Why users continue E-commerce chatbots? Insights from PLS-fsQCA-NCA approach

ABSTRACT The study investigates the drivers of intention to continue using chatbots. Data were collected from 476 users and analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS), fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), and necessary condition analysis (NCA) approaches. Based on PLS results, all technology continuance theory (TCT) relationships were verified except for the influence of confirmation and perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness. Information, service, and system quality influence perceptions. Social avoidance and distress positively moderate the impact of attitude on continuance intention. fsQCA revealed five configurations of variables resulting in high continuance intention, and NCA identified perceived ease of use and system quality as necessary conditions. The study extended the literature by identifying the predictors of continuance intention to use chatbots, enriching TCT, demonstrating the moderating influence of social avoidance and distress, and using the PLS-fsQCA-NCA approach. The findings offer practical implications for businesses, enabling them to retain chatbot users.

Avoiding or Accepting the Unknown: Asylum in the European Union

Many scholars have already dedicated their attention to the perceived migration crisis in Europe and related phenomena. The objective of the present paper is to examine tendencies of selected European national cultures to accept diversity and people with a migration background. The research hypothesis posits that countries with low Uncertainty Avoidance Index are more likely to accept migrants and refugees in their territory; while, on the contrary, countries that have relatively higher Uncertainty Avoidance Index tend to be more sceptical in regard to accepting migrants and refugees. In the study a variety of qualitative and mixed research methods (such as qualitative desk research, comparative analysis, and cluster analysis) are used. Firstly, applying the Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension by Hofstede, the European Union Member States are separated into four clusters according to their ranking within the Uncertainty Avoidance Index. Next, utilising data collected within the project MAGYC, the EU Member States are ranked according to the number of asylum centres, detention centres or similar facilities per capita. Finally, the countries with the highest Uncertainty Avoidance Index and the lowest number of asylum centres per capita are compared providing a comparison of the countries with the lowest Index and the highest number of asylum facilities per capita. The constructed simplified model allows for answering the question whether certain relation between inclination to avoid the unknown and the willingness of national cultures to accept migrants and refugees exists, concluding that the hypothesis is valid only in the case of several countries.

Examining generative AI user addiction from a C-A-C perspective

The rapid development of generative AI represented by ChatGPT has attracted a large number of users, but also brings problems such as user addiction, which may undermine its sustainable development. Drawing on a cognition-affect-conation (C-A-C) perspective, this research examined generative AI user addiction. We used a mixed method of structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct data analysis. The results show that perceived anthropomorphism, perceived interactivity, perceived intelligence, and perceived personalization influence flow experience and attachment, both of which further affect user addiction. The fsQCA revealed three configurations triggering user addiction, among which flow experience and attachment are the common core conditions. The results imply that generative AI companies need to prevent user addiction and ensure a sustainable development.

Immersive time in the metaverse and visits to the physical world: why not both? A holistic customer engagement framework

PurposeThrough the theoretical lenses of media richness, perceived realism and customer engagement, this study aims to investigate the mechanisms that promote customer engagement in metaverse-mediated environments in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) context, as well as the impact of customer engagement on customers’ metaverse usage intensity and future visit intention.Design/methodology/approachA survey of customers who have experience with metaverse-mediated MICE activities was conducted. Data from 267 respondents were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to test our research framework.FindingsMedia richness dimensions, including multiple cues, immediate feedback and personal focus, were found to enhance perceived metaverse realism, which in turn affects the dimensions of customer engagement, leading to customers’ metaverse usage intensity and future visit intention. The fsQCA analysis identifies three configurations that lead to high event visit intention.Practical implicationsThis research helps developers and marketers better understand how rich media contents create realistic experiences in the metaverse, aiding them to devise strategies for customer engagement and improve resource allocation.Originality/valueDespite its potentially revolutionary impacts, empirical studies on the mechanisms driving customer engagement in the metaverse and its effects are scarce. This study contributes by revealing the multiple-phase mechanism of the customer engagement journey in the metaverse-mediated MICE context. By expanding the media richness theory into this area, our study provides new insights by illustrating how media richness dimensions create multisensory experiences and real-time interactions, enhancing perceived metaverse realism and customer engagement. It also addresses the debate on whether metaverse-mediated events substitute or complement real-life events.

Internationalization of Clusters: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) of Township Industrial Clusters

This study aims to examine the internationalization of clusters, a driving force of the rising of multinational firms from emerging markets. We explored the question from the knowledge and relational dimension of clusters. We examine how the configuration of four factors, namely, component knowledge, architecture knowledge, horizontal competition, and vertical coordination, within a cluster jointly affect the degree of cluster internationalization by utilizing the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method. Using Data of 34 township clusters in Suzhou City, China, we identified three models that lead to a high cluster internationalization level.

Educational trajectories individualization in high medical and pharmaceutical education: the particularities of representation and the perspectives of the subject-oriented educational environment construction

Introduction. Contemporary university is transferring from retranslation of knowledge in the frame of socially determined requirements to cultural universum, oriented to the formation of a student individuality and, moreover, subjectness. The student with his educational needs, which can be satisfied only in the terms of subject-oriented environment, is placed in the center of the system. The aim of the research is to identify the elements of educational trajectories individualization and to estimate the possibilities of construction of subject-oriented educational environment in medical and pharmaceutical high education in Russia. Research methods. The methodology is based on a combination of the system-functional and praxeological approaches with elements of socio-cultural analysis. The study includes a comparative quantitative and qualitative analysis, content analysis of the representations of the individualization of educational trajectories (websites and Internet materials) of medical and pharmaceutical universities subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Health. Research results. It was revealed that the information about individualization of educational trajectories is provided by the 30 % of the universities subordinated to the Ministry of Health. Individualization is widely represented through the choice of electives, courses of additional professional education and advanced training (59%), level differentiation of the content of disciplines (52%). Individualization is not as commonly represented as the student’s elite education trajectories (8.7%), individual practices, internships and the choice of a mentor / tutor (6.5%), involvement in the formation of soft skills based on competence centers (19.6%). Identified elements can be considered as the elements of the subject-oriented educational environment in the case of their digital integrated maintenance. Conclusion. The individualization of educational trajectories implementation in high education is related to construction of the subject-oriented environment that can be identified in medical and pharmaceutical universities through the particular elements represented various ways. The formation of the environment mentioned above perspectives closely connected not only with the complex approach to the individualization of educational trajectories elements but similarly with the integrated digital educational landscape of a university.

Drivers of innovation in infrastructure development projects: A configurational analysis of boundary spanning roles

Innovation can provide new opportunities to improve project efficiency. However, enabling innovation is challenging, especially in public infrastructure development projects. Several impeding factors, such as limited contractual incentives and complexity, are prevalent in contract-based collaborative environments. Literature suggests that boundary spanners play an important role in driving innovation by seizing opportunities. This study aims to identify configurations of boundary spanning roles in typical project situations— varying in contract type and complexity— to facilitate innovation. The empirical data is from 58 projects and analyzed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Results show that depending on the project conditions in terms of contract type and complexity, different combinations of boundary spanning roles can be taken up by project managers or other team members to facilitate innovation. This study highlights that in high-complexity situations, boundary spanning roles play a critical role in maintaining good relationships with collaborators, which is instrumental in developing innovation.

A study on the configuration of factors influencing overweight and obesity in adolescents based on fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

Overweight and obesity among adolescents are grave public health issues around the world. Although the conditions that contribute to obesity have been extensively researched, little is known about how multiple conditions interact to cause overweight and obesity. The current study intends to investigate the histomorphic configuration pathways of several conditions of adolescent overweight and obesity by gender. The data came from a social survey conducted in June 2021 in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. The sample collected was 14-year-old adolescents, including 167 boys and 137 girls. The school physicians examined the participants' weight and height, and questionnaires were used to collect risk indicators from adolescents, such as sleep duration, electronic screens times, consumption of sugary drinks and fried foods, and physical activity. Simultaneously, a Fuzzy Qualitative Comparative Analysis will be performed to investigate the combinations of diverse conditions. We found that there is no determining necessary condition that, once present, directly determines that an individual is in a state of overweight and obesity. Simultaneously, this study revealed nine alternative configurational paths of overweight and obesity in teenagers of different genders, with a concordance of 0.805 for six male groupings and 0.916 for three female groupings. The outcomes of overweight obesity in adolescents under different genders are similar but not identical. This study examined the interactions of a number of conditions from the individual, behavioral, learning and living environment that led to the same overweight obese outcome among adolescents of different genders. Our research will be useful to policymakers in that interventions should take into account the combined effects of a number of different aspects rather than focusing on a single factor that causes overweight and obesity.

INTERNAL TEAMWORK PRACTICES AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN NON-PROFIT PROJECT IN RWANDA: A CASE OF UPHLS

Background:This research study aimed to assess the influence of internal teamwork practices on project implementation in non-profit organizations operating in Rwanda, with a specific focus on The Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight Against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS). The study was structured around three specific objectives which were: To assess the effect of Team Collaboration on Project Implementation Success within the UPHLS project in Rwanda. To determine the influence of Resource Allocation on the Timeliness of project implementation within the UPHLS project in Rwanda. And finally, to evaluate the influence of Training and Development on the Quality of Deliverables in the UPHLS project in Rwanda. Materials and Methods:In order for the researcher to achieve the objectives of the research, a descriptive and correlation research design were adopted. Data was collected through a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods, utilizing interview guides and questionnaires. The research population of this research included the broader staff population of 22 at UPHLS headquarters, these individuals were all considered as the sample size through the adoption of the census sampling technique where the entire population is inclusive in the study under investigation due to the small size of this population. Results:From the collected data the findings identified critical factors influencing success. Effective communication (mean=4.23, SD=1.45), clear task allocation (mean=4.27, SD=1.31), appropriate leadership (mean=4.36, SD=1.27), a culture of trust (mean=4.46, SD=1.18), and regular feedback (mean=4.32, SD=1.29) were key contributors to successful project implementation. Resource allocation significantly impacted timeliness, with financial resources (mean=4.68, SD=1.23), human resources (mean=4.89, SD=1.56), material resources (mean=4.45, SD=1.34), procurement practices (mean=4.76, SD=1.45), and budget oversight (mean=4.89, SD=1.23) playing crucial roles. Training and development initiatives positively influenced the quality of project deliverables, with mean scores ranging from 4.39 to 4.58 and corresponding percentages of agreement ranging from 44.46% to 50.87%. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r=0.736, p=0.001) between internal teamwork practices and project implementation. The research therefore concluded by emphasizing the significant role of cohesive teamwork in project success. The study went further to mention that these findings underscored the importance of effective communication, resource management, and training initiatives in enhancing project outcomes in the context of non-profit projects, providing actionable insights for organizations aiming to improve their project implementation processes. Conclusions: Based on the studys findings and conclusions, several recommendations were made by the research where the study suggested enhancing internal teamwork practices in non-profit projects, especially UPHLS in Rwanda, by fostering trust, allocating resources, investing in training, and recognizing the strong correlation between teamwork and project success. These recommendations aimed to improve collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes. Building on the insights from the current study on internal teamwork practices in Rwandan non-profit projects, the study suggested further research, including cross-cultural analysis, longitudinal studies, qualitative leadership styles, external stakeholders, comparative analysis, and global events, to enhance project management and foster social development.

PASSIVE DESIGNS AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF THE TEMPLES IN THE WARM-HUMID CLIMATIC ZONE OF SOUTH INDIA

Religious beliefs, traditional wisdoms, rituals, and cultural practices all play an important part in environmental and biodiversity protection. Conservation of environment and natural resources has long been an element of cultural ethics that can be observed in the vernacular architecture of India, practiced in different parts of the country. The Indian Temple architecture is a manifestation of these socio-cultural-environmental values which are conceptualized and constructed in unique ways integrating passive features which keeps on educating and inspiring generations after generations. These timeless Temples through their passive architectural elements and harmonic aesthetic qualities enable the societies to perceive themselves as part of a spiritual network and to connects them to their biophysical surroundings. Hence, the present research explores the passive architectural features and thermal performance of the naturally ventilated south Indian Temples, located in warm and humid climate zone, and how these passive features can be implemented in the present day’s buildings to achieve thermal comfort. The research deploys a qualitative descriptive comparative analysis method. It delves into case studies of two Temples located in Kerala, having warm-humid climate, to investigate the passive architectural features and thermal performance. Data collection is done through field visits to these two Temples: Iringole Kaavu Bhagavathy Temple (old) and Thottuva Temple (new). Measurements of environmental parameters are also collected during field-surveys. The study concludes that the adaptation of passive architectural features, in response to the local climatic conditions, are paramount and beneficial to improve the thermal performance of the structures and thermal comfort of the users. Hence, it is argued that the passive climate-responsive architectural features of the south Indian Temples, suitable to the local geoclimatic and cultural conditions, need to be continued to follow in the present and future generation of buildings.

Why co-working spaces in an analogical environment exhibit different recovery abilities under the COVID-19 shock? Evidence from China

Although co-working spaces have attracted significant attention as a type of platform organisation in the sharing economy, little is known about why some spaces faced with an analogical environment demonstrate obvious differences in recovery abilities after sudden shocks, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand this novel phenomenon, we collected data from the Chengdu high-tech zone and employed grounded theory and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the possible causal configurations for high levels of resilience in small and medium-sized platform organisations. Our findings reveal that (1) there are five antecedent configurations that multi-morphologically lead to the same outcome; (2) compared with other antecedent conditions, networking ability and diverse value co-creation with customers play more important roles in the formation of a high level of co-working spaces’ resilience; (3) under certain circumstances, a substitutional relationship exists between industrial experience and communication ability; and (4) when the endogenous factors of organisations (e.g. their abilities and resources) coincide with complex external environments, organisational resilience is expressed. In this manner, our study contributes to the organisational resilience literature and research on co-working spaces. Some practical suggestions for the sustainable development of co-working spaces are also provided.

Sustainable competitive advantage under digital transformation: an eco-strategy perspective

Purpose This study aims to investigate how a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage is influenced by the combination of entrepreneurial ecological orientation, digital transformation and dynamic capabilities. Design/methodology/approach Based on the qualitative comparative analysis method, this study systematically explores the significant key conditions and configuration effects that affect the growth of sustainable competitive advantage. This study uncovers the causal relationship and complex mechanisms underlying the sustainable and unsustainable competitive advantages for new ventures, by examining the grouping effects of the above three factors – entrepreneurial ecological orientation, digital transformation and dynamic capabilities on those advantages. Findings A single factor fails to constitute a necessary condition for sustainable competitive advantage. Three types of configurations are beneficial to sustainable competitive advantage, namely, flexible and responsive type, dynamically adjusted type and type of opportunity resource integration, whereas four types of configurations lead to the unsustainable competitive advantage of new ventures, namely, type of organizational rigidity, informal entrepreneurial type, information-blocking type and technology-deficient type. Originality/value According to this study, adopting an entrepreneurial ecological orientation is a novel strategic move. This study offers an extensive review of three aspects of entrepreneurial ecological orientation, dynamic capacities and digital transformation and their mutually synergistic cascading effects on the sustainable competitive advantage of new ventures. This study investigates how three dimensions interact to achieve sustainable competitive advantage for firms, ultimately contributing to the study of sustainable competitive advantage strategies from an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective.

Flexing to outperform: workforce differentiation, HR flexibility and firm performance

PurposeResource orchestration theory proposes that firms need resources, capabilities, and horizontal and vertical alignment to achieve high performance. Thus, we investigate which combinations of horizontal fit of resources (commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers) and capabilities (HR flexibility) together with vertical fit with business strategy (innovation versus cost leadership strategies) relate to superior performance.Design/methodology/approachOur study is based on a sample of 113 Spanish firms from which we collected data on commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers, HR flexibility, business strategy and performance. We employ a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze which configurations lead to firm performance.FindingsThe empirical analysis shows that both HR practices and policies (commitment-based HR systems) and HR capabilities (HR flexibility) need to be aligned for high performance. The path for performance is comprised of a combination of commitment-based HR systems for staff and HR flexibility and by the absence of an innovation strategy or commitment-based HR systems for managers, HR flexibility, and a cost leadership strategy. We also find four paths where performance relies on efficiently combining an innovation and cost leadership business strategy.Originality/valueOur findings make three key contributions to the literature. First, we help elucidate multicausal relationships inside the black box of the “HR–performance” relationship for firm performance. Second, we study the vertical fit with business strategy by considering innovation and cost leadership strategies. Third, we analyze multicausal pathways, thus uncovering different combinations of resources and capabilities for performance.

Striking the balance: Configurations of causation and effectuation principles for SME performance

Causation and effectuation are two fundamental decision-making logics that managers use for crucial firm strategic decisions. However, existing research has yet to agree on the relationship between the two logics, supporting both the substitution and complementarity of causation and effectuation in influencing firm performance. This leaves us with a puzzle: How do causation and effectuation combine in balance to improve firm performance? To address the gap, we utilize a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) with data collected from 344 small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China to uncover the dynamic relationships between the two logics. Our findings indicate that causation or effectuation alone is insufficient to achieve superior firm performance. By distinguishing between four dimensions of effectuation, we identify three types of configurations for high performance: (1) causation with promotion-focused effectuation principles; (2) causation with prevention-focused effectuation principles; (3) causation with hybrid-focused effectuation principles. More importantly, we find that the effectiveness of the configurations depends on the firm development stage. Our findings provide SMEs with practical insights into how to effectively choose their decision-making logic when faced with different firm growth challenges.

Configurational paths of entrepreneurial activity: An analysis based on the technology–organization–environment framework

AbstractEntrepreneurial activity is crucial for economic progress and resolving societal issues. Utilizing the technology–organization–environment (TOE) theoretical framework, this study builds a systematic model to investigate the trajectories of entrepreneurial activities across 31 provinces in China from 2019 to 2021. We employ the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. Our analyses indicate that (1) multiple factors impact both high entrepreneurial activity and non‐high entrepreneurial activity; entrepreneurial activity is significantly different between advanced and catching‐up regions; (2) there are two types of paths that lead to high entrepreneurial activity, namely technology driven and technology–institution driven. These paths are dynamic, gradually transitioning from technology driven and technology–institution driven to industry–resource driven; and (3) non‐high entrepreneurial activity may result from poor technological infrastructure and lack of human capital. These findings elucidate the different routes through which entrepreneurial activity is generated in China and offer valuable theoretical and practical insights.

When Do Authoritarian Regimes Use Digital Technologies for Covert Repression? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Politico‐Economic Conditions

AbstractAlthough autocracies increasingly learn how to integrate digital technologies into their covert repression toolbox, it remains unclear under which conditions they succeed in doing so. While some technologically developed autocracies seldom use covert repression, other technologically underdeveloped autocracies apply significantly more covert repression. This begs the question: what are the necessary and sufficient conditions involving strong digital uptake leading to high levels of covert repression? The paper uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to 83 non‐democratic regimes and leverages the 2021 digital repression dataset to answer this question. The findings show that digital uptake interacts with a pre‐existing history of overt repression. In‐depth case illustrations of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan elucidate this argument. The findings also show two other “non‐digital” pathways to high levels of covert repression, providing foundations for future evidence‐based case selection investigating covert repression patterns in autocracies.