Exploratory Case Study Research Articles

Top-management attitudes toward workplace happiness: An exploratory case study at a semi-government organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

This study aimed to gain insights into the attitudes and strategies of top management regarding workplace happiness within a semi-government organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six senior managers at the organization were interviewed to explore their perspectives on employee happiness and the initiatives implemented to enhance it. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed several key findings. Top managers demonstrated strong commitment and willingness to prioritize employee well-being through long-term research-driven improvements. A variety of strategies incorporating personal, organizational, and Human Resources Management (HRM) factors known to impact happiness were utilized. Religious considerations and empowerment initiatives respect personal values while fostering intrinsic motivation. Top leaders modeled strategic priorities through their conduct, emphasizing visible support. The organization balanced individual needs with organizational goals respectfully. The findings provide practical implications for optimizing retention and performance outcomes through dedicated strategic happiness efforts guided by empirical research. However, more extensive research across diverse populations could further advance understanding in this field.

An exploration of higher education leadership competencies: knowledge, skills and attitudes

PurposeCompetencies for leadership in higher education have begun to emerge in the literature. Yet to better equip future leaders in higher education, the use of a learning taxonomy may serve as a framework to understand necessary learning for leaders in higher education. The aim of this study is to explore the competencies of higher education leadership through Bloom’s knowledge, skills and attitudes framework.Design/methodology/approachAn explanatory case study qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of senior leaders within a singular university to determine the necessary competencies of leadership in higher education. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who served in Dean-level or higher positions. Eligible participants participated in a semi-structured interview.FindingsEach of Bloom’s domains had a variety of themes emerge: knowledge (2), skills (6) and attitude (2).Research limitations/implicationsSample size was limited by the availability of senior leaders and may not represent the experience of leaders at all institutions.Practical implicationsFindings from this study may allow future researchers to investigate the outcomes of a combination of competencies. Findings from this study will hopefully be able to be extrapolated to better understand the learning required of those who aspire to be future leaders in similar university structures.Originality/valueAvailable studies fail to explore the process by which one learns the skills necessary to become a leader in higher education. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to map higher education leadership competencies through a learning taxonomy.

A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study of the Safe Doors, Safe Homes Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence Prevention in the Canadian Context: Perspectives from IPV Survivors, Service Providers and Police

A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study of the Safe Doors, Safe Homes Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence Prevention in the Canadian Context: Perspectives from IPV Survivors, Service Providers and Police

Adopting WhatsApp to support flipped learning in resource-constrained business studies classrooms in South Africa

Nowadays, business studies teachers integrate WhatsApp into their lessons to enhance their instructional practice. This qualitative study investigates the role of WhatsApp in supporting flipped learning in business studies classrooms. The interpretive paradigm was adopted, and an exploratory case study was employed as the research design. Social constructivism theory was used as the lens through which to view the study, while purposive sampling was utilised to select six business studies teachers from six secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that WhatsApp played a significant role in supporting flipped learning in business studies. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that WhatsApp is integral to supporting flipped learning in resource-constrained schools. Thus, it is recommended that South African schools allow and formalise the use of WhatsApp as a learning tool to transform pedagogies.

The complexity of interpersonal physiology during rupture and repair episodes in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: a proof-of-concept multimethod single case study of verbal and non-verbal interactional dynamics.

The aim of this proof-of-concept multimethod exploratory single case study is to increase knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of alliance ruptures and repairs in Borderline Personality Disorder treatment across and within the psychotherapeutic treatment process. The multimethod includes outcome assessment of patient self-reporting questionnaires (the Affect Integration Inventory, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist), observation-based ratings of sessions with the Rupture Resolution Rating System, quantitative analysis of heart rate variability using recurrence quantification analysis, and a qualitative multimodal interaction analysis of within-session dynamics. Results reveal how patterns of heart rate synchrony between patient and therapist reflect periodical patterns of emotional interaction corresponding to key therapeutic alliance processes throughout the treatment process. Particularly, heart rate synchronization and desynchronization correspond with increasing rupture resolution ratings and positive outcome measures in the last part of the therapy process, indicating increased productivity, affectivity, and positive change. The qualitative microanalysis highlights context sensitivity to alliance management within sessions. Physiological arousal is found to underlie important alliance processes, including emotion regulation, relatedness, security, empathic responding, sense-making, and validation in correspondence with different therapist verbal and non-verbal markerbs. Clinical implications and study limitations are discussed. Recommendations are made for future directions in relation to applying multimethod approaches when studying rupture and repair processes in psychotherapy.

The roles of key suppliers in network formation when reshoring

Purpose Reshoring implies the reconfiguration of supply networks. Focusing on the specific case of a born-offshored firm that engaged in reshoring of outsourced activities, this study aims to analyse how initial key suppliers in the home country can help the reshoring firm to organize a new supply network. Design/methodology/approach The research is qualitative and based on a single exploratory case study. The data was collected from multiple primary and secondary sources, and using different techniques, such as in-depth interviews, direct observation and network pictures. Findings The study provides insights on how an initial key supplier can enable its customers’ reshoring in the home country. Specifically, the authors identify 10 roles played by a key supplier. The results also identify supply network formation as an essential component of the reshoring process. Originality/value This paper provides unique contributions. Firstly, it presents the specific and under-explored case of a born-offshored firm engaged in outsourced reshoring; secondly, it sheds light on the roles that key suppliers may play for the reshoring process; thirdly, it explores the formation of business relationships in the context of reshoring. In essence, the paper contributes to the reshoring literature, by stressing the importance of supply network formation in the reshoring process and by identifying the multiplicity of roles that key suppliers can play when implementing reshoring, and to the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) literature, by showing how relationships and networks develop during reshoring, a phenomenon so far understudied by IMP scholars.

Tackling Corruption in the Public Sector: Innovative Approaches and Policy Reforms

Corruption in the public sector remains a significant challenge that undermines governance, economic growth, and public trust. This paper examines innovative approaches and policy reforms aimed at addressing corruption in public institutions. By exploring case studies from various countries, the research identifies successful strategies that incorporate technology, transparency, and accountability. Digital solutions such as blockchain, e-governance systems, and data analytics have emerged as effective tools in reducing corrupt practices by improving transparency in public procurement, financial transactions, and service delivery. Additionally, the paper highlights the importance of fostering a culture of integrity within public institutions through ethical leadership, whistleblower protections, and comprehensive legal frameworks. Policy reforms, including the implementation of anti-corruption agencies, stronger regulatory oversight, and international cooperation, are also discussed as essential components in the fight against corruption. The findings suggest that a multi-faceted approach combining technological innovations, institutional reforms, and public participation is critical to curbing corruption in the public sector. This study contributes to the broader discourse on governance and offers actionable insights for policymakers seeking to implement effective anti-corruption measures.

Venture Studios: Beyond Entrepreneurial Support Organisations? A Case Study Analysis and Framework

We examine and discuss the rise of the Venture Studio phenomenon (also called Startup Studio), which is receiving increasing attention across the globe. Venture Studios promises to mitigate the high failure rates faced by new ventures by engaging earlier in the new venture creation process, contributing from ideation at pre-venture stage. Venture Studios generate business ideas, and then partner with external entrepreneurs to build and validate the new businesses. Despite their increasing prominence, little is known regarding the design choices, activities, and outcomes of Venture Studios, as well as how they differ from other established organisations such as incubators and accelerators. This research aims to fill this gap, by conducting an exploratory case study involving interviews with 14 Venture Studios in Italy. We introduce an I–P–O framework that provides a comprehensive set of design choices and activities that characterise Venture Studios. Findings reveal significant heterogeneity in design choices, indicating no one-size-fits-all approach. Despite this, consistency exists in their processes and entrepreneurial orientation. Second, we question the nature of Venture Studios as Entrepreneurial Support Organisations (ESOs), proposing that they represent a new category with a more active, co-founder-like role. This study also seeks to equip Venture Studio managers with a framework to understand and strategically navigate the diverse approaches within their field. Also, we offer insights to entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders, enabling them to understand the functioning of this novel form of organisation.

Preservice teachers' framing and noticing of elementary students' ways of communicating scientific ideas

AbstractChildren draw on diverse sensemaking repertoires that are inclusive of their cultural and community knowledge to make sense of science in the world around them. However, preservice teachers often do not notice the science embedded in children's explanations of phenomena. Discourses that frame children, particularly those from minoritized communities, through deficit‐based lenses contribute to this deficit‐based noticing, perpetuating inequitable science teaching practices. This exploratory case study draws on a noticing framework that uses framing, attending, interpreting, and responding to examine how preservice teachers' anti‐deficit noticing can be supported. Specifically, the study focuses on what 44 preservice teachers, enrolled in teacher preparation classes taught by the authors, notice in children's scientific explanations and how they interpret that noticing in relation to their own framing. Noticing profiles were constructed for preservice teachers using (a) data collected from written explanations of what constitutes a “good” scientific explanation and (b) written reflections of five noticing sessions during which preservice teachers viewed videos featuring elementary students providing explanations of a scientific phenomenon. Findings discuss three key patterns reflected across preservice teacher's noticing profiles: responses that reflected conventional noticing with more anti‐deficit noticing in later sessions, responses that reflected potential for anti‐deficit attending but were interpreted in deficit‐based ways, and responses that shifted across noticing sessions in a non‐linear trajectory toward more anti‐deficit noticing. Implications for science teacher education explore practices that facilitate shifts toward more anti‐deficit, equitable noticing with considerations for the dialogic nature between framing and noticing.

Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneur as Mechanisms for Environmental Sustainability Impact in Malaysia: An Exploratory Case Study Perspective

Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneur as Mechanisms for Environmental Sustainability Impact in Malaysia: An Exploratory Case Study Perspective

Student perspectives on optimising AI tools to enhance personalised learning in higher education

This explanatory qualitative paper discusses students’ recommendations on how AI tools can be optimised to enhance personalised learning in higher education. There are several obstacles to the successful adoption and application of AI technology, two of which are user acceptance and striking a balance between AI-assisted and conventional teaching techniques. The Technology Acceptance Model is used in this research as a theoretical framework to analyse how users accept and use technology. It makes the case that users’ acceptance of technology is mostly influenced by their perceptions of its usefulness and ease of use, which can direct the creation of strategies to enhance the application and efficacy of AI technologies in individualised learning. Open-ended questionnaires were given to 40 University of the Free State students from different faculties as part of a qualitative explanatory case study methodology. The findings reveal that both students and lecturers need to be trained in using AI tools and that there should be a balance between using AI tools and traditional teaching methods to enhance personalised learning in higher education. Considering the findings, the study suggests that institutions and lecturers need to address the challenges posed by AI tools immediately and leverage AI to its full potential in creating an effective and personalised learning environment by establishing clear ethical guidelines and policies for AI usage in higher education and implementing comprehensive AI literacy programs for lecturers and students to ensure they understand the capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI tools.

Learning by Heart as a Pedagogy of Hope: Envisionment-Building through Poetry Memorization and Recitation

ABSTRACT While memorization has been criticized as outdated, recent studies have suggested that memorized poetry constitutes a vital repository which enhances the quality of individuals’ lives. The pedagogical potential of learning poetry by heart, however, has hardly been explored in contemporary settings. This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of seven adolescent student participants in the inaugural National Poetry Recitation Competition held in Singapore in 2023, which involved 169 contestants. Employing an exploratory case study approach, including the analysis of interviews and field notes, this study applies Judith Langer’s concept of “envisionment-building” (2011) as a primary lens through which to interpret the students’ experiences, while elucidating aspects of their experiences in the light of schema theory. Findings indicate that students’ experiences demonstrate evidence of Langer’s first and fourth principles of envisionment-building most strongly, as manifested through the practice of poetry memorization and recitation. This study further proposes a model informed by students’ responses that could guide literature educators to support students in learning poetry by heart as a path towards envisionment-building, contributing to a pedagogy of hope while expanding opportunities to motivate deeper engagement with poetry.

The dynamics of meaningful youth participation: Mapping the purpose of participation of Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance participants

AbstractThis study investigates how youth are navigating the regional and global Internet governance spaces using the Pyramid of Participation framework as proposed by the author, which is built on Arnstein's ladder. By understanding how youth participate in these spaces, this study seeks to understand the dynamics of meaningful youth participation by using the Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance (YOUthDIG) as an exploratory case study. The findings reveal that The Pyramid of Participation outlined in this paper provides a visual framework for decision makers to reflect on where and how participants engage with the process. This Pyramid of Participation also acknowledges that when there is no meaningful participation, that participants will choose to discontinue their participation and this motivation requires reflection on where we can enhance processes and change attitudes to ensure a better informed group of stakeholders and empowered actors.

The Impact of Urban Regeneration and Environmental Improvements on Well-Being

Urban areas worldwide are grappling with significant challenges, including rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and socio-economic disparities. In response, urban regeneration has emerged as a vital strategy aimed at revitalizing declining neighborhoods and enhancing residents' quality of life. This paper investigates the complex relationship between urban regeneration, environmental improvements, and residents' well-being, which encompasses physical health, mental health, social connections, and overall life satisfaction. By synthesizing existing literature, the paper highlights how initiatives such as the creation of green spaces and sustainable urban design positively influence residents' well-being. Furthermore, it explores case studies, including the High Line in New York City and the London Docklands, illustrating the benefits of integrating environmental considerations into regeneration efforts. The findings reveal that while urban regeneration projects can lead to significant improvements in well-being, challenges such as gentrification and equitable access must be addressed. The paper concludes by identifying gaps in the current literature and suggesting areas for future research, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the interplay between urban regeneration, environmental enhancements, and well-being.

Identifying knowledge gaps surrounding antimicrobial resistance: An exploratory study of antimicrobial resistant genes on Pennsylvania dairy farms

There is growing recognition that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a wicked problem in need of more systematic and interdisciplinary engagement. However, there remain significant knowledge gaps in how antimicrobial use in food-producing animals translates to AMR in animals, humans, and the environment. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, we utilize fecal testing on farms, to evaluate the presence of AMR genes (AMRg). Based on the existing literature we hypothesized differences in AMRg would be present between (i) calves versus cows, (ii) farms that had non-family employees versus those that did not, (iii) farms that reported a language barrier between employees and farmers versus those that did not, and and (iv) women-versus men-operated farms. While sample size is too small to draw generalizable conclusions, we did find some differences, with the most pronounced difference between calves and cows. This is an exploratory case study that makes a two-fold contribution. First, we contribute to the nascent literature explicitly focused on gender and AMR in agriculture. Second, to advance interdisciplinary research on AMR we offer an innovative methodological approach that measures the presence of AMRg on farms in the context of farm management practices and descriptive characteristics of the farm.

How do Danish humanities PhD school leaders constitute their roles? Interactions of biography, place and time

Purpose Increasingly governmental policy around PhD education has resulted in greater university oversight of programs and student experience – often through creating central PhD Schools. While student experience is well researched, the experiences of Heads of these units, who are responsible for creating student experience, have been invisible. This exploratory Danish case study begins such a conversation: its purpose to examine the perceptions of five Heads of PhD Humanities Schools, each responsible for steering institutional decisions within Danish PhD policy landscapes. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach integrated three distinct analyses: a review of Danish PhD education policies and university procedures, each university’s job specifications for the Heads of the Schools and the Heads’ views on their responsibilities. Findings The Heads differentiated between their own and today’s PhD student experience. They had held prior leadership roles and fully supported institutional regulations. They cared deeply for the students under their charge and were working to achieve personal goals to enhance PhD experience. Their leadership perspective was relational: enhancing individual student learning through engaging with multiple PhD actors (e.g. program leaders) – when possible at a personal level – to improve PhD practices. Originality/value This study contributes an expanded perspective on how PhD School Heads constitute their roles by empirically linking: macro-national policies and institutional regulations and individuals’ biographies to their support of the PhD regimes – with implications for academic leadership generally. The authors argue research into PhD School leadership is essential, as it is such individuals who create the organisational settings that students experience.

Psychodrama as group intervention on minority stress, identity and psychosocial well-being of LGBTQ+ Italian young adults: A qualitative case study

ABSTRACT Background Growing attention is given to LGBTQ+ well-being, mainly using the minority stress model, although it’s seldom applied in group therapy research. This study aims to investigate individual experiences and identity processes related to minority stress while exploring the effectiveness of group psychodrama on LGBTQ+ well-being and stress levels. Methods Seven LGBTQ+ participants aged 19 to 27 years attended 10 weekly sessions of group psychodrama. The study utilized a qualitative exploratory case study design, where interview data underwent inductive thematic analysis and were triangulated with quantitative data concerning well-being, alexithymia, and LGBT Minority Stress. Results Participants manage their minority-contextualized identity and stigma within their narratives, indicating that group psychodrama may benefit young LGBTQ+ adults by raising awareness and resolving stressors. Conclusions The study validates the minority stress model but suggests broader theoretical integration, emphasizing the role of social identity and therapeutic impact of psychodrama in managing minority stress.

Online Academic Tutoring for English Language Learning: A Case Study of Receptive Skills Development in Ecuadorian Students

This study examines the impact of online academic tutoring on Ecuadorian students of 5°, 6°, and 7° grades of Educación General Básica (EGB) on English receptive skills. Despite English's importance and integration into Ecuador's education system, language acquisition keeps facing some challenges due to resource limitations and diverse linguistic backgrounds. The research involved 52 students and 57 preservice teachers in an exploratory case study. Statistical data showed how digital education along with online academic tutoring contributed to improvements in the receptive skills of a group of English language students as well as let researchers see the most significant gains in 7th graders. Preservice teachers also developed pedagogically but encountered technical challenges. Findings underscore online tutoring's potential to address educational gaps, highlighting the need for greater investment in digital infrastructure and teacher training. Future research should examine the socio-emotional impact of online tutoring on learners' confidence and well-being.

Empowering Latine elementary school students with disabilities: computer programming through culturally sustaining curriculum

ABSTRACT Background and Context The study was conducted in a special education classroom in an elementary school with multilingual Latine students, utilizing a computer science curriculum focused on community-based environmental literacy. Objective This study explores the experiences of diverse elementary students with disabilities in learning computer programming and identifies instructional strategies that enhance their learning within a culturally sustaining curriculum. Method An exploratory case study approach was used to examine students’ learning experiences and teachers’ instructional strategies during curriculum implementation. Findings Students who typically did not engage with peers collaborated effectively, and those with behavioral and performance difficulties exhibited heightened engagement. Instructional strategies included multisensory engagement and connecting environmental and computational concepts to real-life situations. Implications The result underscore how a culturally sustaining computer science curriculum can empower diverse students, foster inclusivity, and leverage their strengths through effective teaching practices.

Unlocking Pakistan’s digital potential: A roadmap for workforce digitalization and economic transformation

This paper explores the various aspects of workforce digitalization in Pakistan. Through an exploratory case study, it examines key trends of workforce digitalization, and the multifaceted impact of digitalization on the workforce in Pakistan, highlighting the opportunities, challenges, and economic benefits. Moreover, it analyzes the government policies and initiatives for the promotion of digitalization in Pakistan. Finally, it suggests a roadmap for workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan. Workforce digitalization and economic transformation entail a multifaceted approach to modernizing labor practices, leveraging digital technologies, and fostering economic growth. The digitalization of the workforce in Pakistan reflects the country’s evolving socio-economic landscape and technological advancements. However, workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan present significant opportunities and challenges. Embracing digitalization can enhance productivity, create new job opportunities, and drive economic growth. Further, modernizing government services through digitalization initiatives, including e-governance platforms for improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability fosters a more conducive environment and accelerates digital transformation across different sectors. However, addressing challenges related to digital literacy, cybersecurity, and access to digital infrastructure is essential to ensure that all segments of the population can benefit from the digital economy. As Pakistan seeks to strengthen its economy, digitalization is key to unlocking new opportunities, driving sustainable development, and becoming a digital nation in the future. Workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan require a comprehensive strategy that addresses digital skills development, infrastructure improvement, entrepreneurship support, government digitization, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, industry collaboration, and international partnerships. By prioritizing these areas, Pakistan can unlock its digital potential and drive sustainable economic growth in the digital age.