Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research Articles

Sustainable Environmental Performance: A Cross-Country Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Empirical Study of Big Data Analytics and Contextual Factors

Sustainable Environmental Performance: A Cross-Country Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Empirical Study of Big Data Analytics and Contextual Factors

Synergy between multidimensional intellectual capital and digital knowledge management: Uncovering innovation performance complexities

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of the contingency and complex interrelations between multidimensional intellectual capital (IC), technology-based knowledge management (KM), and innovation outcomes in the rapidly changing business environment. More particularly, we investigate causal recipes for high innovation performance consisting of traditional IC components (human capital, structural capital, relational capital), the three more recently emerging IC dimensions (renewal capital, entrepreneurial capital, trust capital), and digital KM practices. This study adopts neo-configurational perspective and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore multiple conjunctural causations of innovation performance using survey data collected from 102 publicly listed enterprises in Taiwan. Although the four identified archetypes (causal recipes) indicate that all IC dimensions and digital KM are potential collaborators contributing to high innovation performance, they also emphasize the critical role of digital KM in leveraging relational and trust capital for superior innovation performance. Human, structural, entrepreneurial, and renewal capital seems to be a supporting chorus for open and collaborative innovations in the digital era.

Work together, walk forward: Unveiling collaborative innovation networks and mapping paths to breakthrough innovation in electric vehicles

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has made significant strides in practice, yet persistent technology bottlenecks impede its continuous progress. Collaborative innovation has emerged as a promising strategy to tackle these bottlenecks. To explore collaborative innovation within the EV sector, this study constructed EV collaborative innovation networks using patent data from 2009 to 2023 and applied the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) to explore the internal mechanism of EV collaborative innovation networks. Furthermore, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to investigate the configurations for the realization of breakthrough innovation. The results show that (1) state-owned enterprises, along with universities and research institutions are crucial within the EV collaborative innovation network. Among them, state-owned enterprises play the most critical role. (2) Geographical proximity and institutional proximity positively impact the formation of EV collaborative innovation networks, while the effects of organizational proximity are insignificant. (3) Two pathways are identified for the realization of breakthrough innovation of innovation actors, with all proximity variables acting as core conditions in these pathways. This research engages in a dialogue between collaborative innovation networks and breakthrough innovation and enriches relevant theories and literature on this topic. Besides, this study provides practical contributions for innovation actors to select collaborative partners and take tailored pathways for the realization of breakthrough innovations in the EV industry.

Configurations of institutional enablers that foster inclusive entrepreneurship: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Inclusive entrepreneurship, which represents an integrated approach to entrepreneurship and social inclusion, has increasingly received attention for its expected capacity to simultaneously foster economic growth and mitigate inequality. This study examines how the configuration of institutional enablers, which encompass several characteristics involving markets, finance, policy, education, and knowledge, fosters inclusive entrepreneurship outcomes. The results of a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis using 69 country cases indicate that institutional enablers—excluding market openness—jointly affect inclusive entrepreneurship outcomes. This study provides evidence that such effects vary depending on the level of a country's economic development. As one of the first to explore the topic of inclusive entrepreneurship, this study has significant implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

Patent value and the performance of high-tech enterprises: a configurational analysis of start-ups and mature firms by using fsQCA

ABSTRACT The study of patent value plays a significant role in technology planning and business strategy. However, the relations between patent value indicators and the performance of high-tech enterprises have not been fully explored in the literature, especially from the perspective of configuration thinking. To fill this gap, this study examines how various patent value indicators combine to affect the performance of high-tech enterprises. After considering the strategic, technological and protective dimensions of patenting, we conduct a comparative configurational analysis of high-tech start-ups and mature firms through a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. Result shows different pathways of high-tech start-ups and mature firms to obtain competitive advantage through patents, in which strategy-oriented patents lead to start-ups’ growth, whereas protection-oriented patents contribute to mature firms’ high performance. Further, we find five solutions of patent values through which high-tech start-ups can achieve high performance, yet only one for high-tech mature firms. This finding indicates that start-ups have more choices to promote firm performance by enhancing patent value. On the basis of this approach, we shed light on high-tech enterprises’ patent strategy formulating and technology planning.

Is disinformation more likely to spread? A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of emerging infectious diseases on China’s short video platform

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop a model for the dissemination of information on emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) by identifying the specific features of mpox (monkeypox)-related short video content that encourages...

Enhancing the energy level of regional digital innovation ecosystems: A configuration perspective.

This study introduces the concept of "energy level" into the analysis of innovation ecosystems. Drawing on the theory of "architects", we have identified the key architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems. By integrating Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we examined the configuration effects of internal architects, external architects, and digital innovation habitats on the energy level of these ecosystems, utilizing data from 30 provinces in China as case studies. The results indicate that the contribution of a single architect to achieving a high energy level in a regional digital innovation ecosystem is limited and cannot be regarded as a necessary condition for driving a high energy level. However, core innovation actors and digital infrastructures emerge as more significant core conditions. The architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems exhibit multiple concurrent causal relationships. The configuration paths of high and non-high energy levels of ecosystems display a causally asymmetric "multiple paths to the same outcome" relationship. The three identified paths for driving high energy levels are categorized as "core actor-infrastructure"-driven paths. The findings of this paper hold substantial theoretical and practical significance for fostering the healthy development of regional digital innovation ecosystems.

International entrepreneurial culture of born global and non-born global family firms: a configurational approach

PurposeDelving into family business heterogeneity, this study applies fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analyses (fsQCA) to explain overlooked differences in the international performance of born global family firms (BGFFs) and non-born global family firms (n-BGFFs); through the lens of assemblage theory of family business internationalization, the study develops distinctive configurations of international entrepreneurial culture (IEC) for BGFFs and n-BGFFs.Design/methodology/approachThis study compares the theoretical tenets of IEC among 167 BGFFs versus 192 n-BGFFs in Malaysia using fsQCA – a configurational method. The study further deploys necessity analysis of fsQCA (NCA) to determine the necessity conditions within the identified configurations.FindingsBGFFs manifest elevated levels of international entrepreneurial orientation, international motivation and international non-competitor network orientation. In contrast, n-BGFFs rely on international markets, learning and competitor network orientations to secure international performance. Furthermore, necessary condition analysis (NCA) reveals that international entrepreneurial orientation and international motivation are the necessity conditions for BGFFs. In contrast, international market, learning and competitor network orientation are all required for n-BGFFs’ international performance.Originality/valueThis study is timely and contributes to advancing the international business theory of family firm internationalization. It also offers better theorizing for family firms’ heterogeneity, locating the source of that heterogeneity not just in the speed of internationalization but also in the composition of their different IECs.

Constructing and refining a model of antecedent mechanisms of parental educational anxiety in the context of General and Vocational Segregation: A mixed study based on an exploratory sequential design

General and vocational education segregation at the high school level has long been a hot topic in China's education system. To contribute to addressing parental educational anxiety in such a context by enhancing its causal mechanism model, this study utilized an exploratory time-series research design and a mixed research method. Initially, in-depth interviews were conducted, followed by coding analysis. They revealed that parents' educational anxiety is characterized by "insufficient information and elevated anxiety", and its main factors were identified as the parents' level of policy understanding, environmental modeling, family support, and perception of educational fairness. A questionnaire was then created to investigate educational anxiety as a variable, and the results were analyzed using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to conduct a configurational analysis. Parental educational anxiety was categorized into three fundamental modes: the policy-information-driven mode, the information-consumption-driven mode, and the subject-information-driven mode. The results of the analysis indicate that the level of parents' understanding of educational policies influences their educational anxiety level, their orientation on media communication affects their recognition of the educational ecology, and their image of vocational education exacerbates their internal anxiety.

국제개발협력 분야 기술사업화 프로젝트의 성공 저해 요인과 결합적 인과 영향: KOICA 혁신적기술프로그램(CTS)을 중심으로

Purpose: This study examines the factors and factor combinations that impede the success of Creative Technology Solution (CTS) projects, a recently introduced development cooperation approach in Korea that prioritizes science and technology innovation and private sector involvement in the field of development cooperation. Originality: This study pioneers the examination of technology commercialization cases in development cooperation, an area unexplored by both technology entrepreneurship and development cooperation academics. It goes beyond identifying individual factors to analyze conjunctural causal effects of multiple factors impeding project success. It also provides practical implications on which factors to address first for CTS project success. Methodology: A total of 23 CTS project end-of-project evaluation reports were subjected to qualitative content analysis (QCA) in order to identify the factors that impede the success of CTS projects. Furthermore, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) was employed to examine the ways in which combinations of factors impede project success. Result: The analysis identified four main impeding factors: inadequate preliminary research, inadequate project design, inadequate implementing organisation capacity, and inadequate stakeholder cooperation and communication. Of these, the two most significant factors impeding the success of CTS projects are poor preliminary research and poor project design. When these two factors co-occur, the likelihood of project failure is high, even in the absence of any particular issue with the capacity of the implementing organisation and stakeholder cooperation and communication. Conclusion and Implication: In order to enhance the probability of success for CTS projects, it is imperative to reinforce the preliminary research and project design, as these have been identified as the main impeding factors.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in the hotel industry: a strategy for brand management, brand tribalism, and brand choice

ABSTRACT This study developed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) attributes in the hotel industry and tested their effect on hotel brand and consumer behavior using mixed methods. The qualitative approach was used to develop 11 hotel ESG attributes, while the quantitative approach was used to test research hypotheses. Furthermore, a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used to test necessary and sufficient conditions. The results showed that most of the hypotheses were accepted, and that hotel ESG attributes had a positive effect on hotel brand and consumer behavior. Based on the results, this study provides meaningful and important insights into hotel ESG.

Effectiveness of Short-term Study Abroad Programs: Employing a Program Logic Model and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Participants' Growth Narratives

Effectiveness of Short-term Study Abroad Programs: Employing a Program Logic Model and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Participants' Growth Narratives

Research on Multiple Enhancement Paths of Green Total Factor Productivity--Group analysis based on the TOE framework

This study uses the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method with 30 administrative divisions in China as the case, and carries out research and analysis based on the TOE framework to explore the role paths of five factors, namely, the development of digital finance, the level of green innovation, the construction of the talent system, the government's support capacity, and the social financing environment, on the green total factor productivity, the goal is to identify a range of options to push the economy in the direction of green development. The study found that: a single prerequisite is not necessarily a prerequisite for high green total factor productivity; the five factors that drive green total factor productivity include: technology-financial-driven, technology-talent-driven, technology-resource-driven, technology-environment-driven and technology-government-driven; the development of digital finance at the technology level and the level of green innovation plays a very important role. Hence, when it comes to governance, varying strategies should be implemented in different areas to encourage the advancement of environmentally friendly economic growth.

Analyzing the configuration of the National Innovation System for Innovation Capability: evidence from Global Innovation Index reports

National innovation capability (NIC) is an important manifestation of economic development quality and international competitiveness. Previous studies focus mainly on the static impact of factors in the national innovation system on NIC in a given year. Research is still lacking on whether these factors have continuing, stable impacts on NIC in different economies. To fill this literature gap, this study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct cross-economy and cross-year comparisons and discusses how the five elements of the NIS jointly affected the NIC of different economies from 2011 to 2022. The results indicate that the necessity consistency of infrastructure for NIC shows a temporal trend. There are four paths to generating high NIC in high-income economies, but only two such paths for upper middle-income economies. The path combining human capital and research, market sophistication, and business sophistication can drive both types of economies to generate high NIC. The research results have improved the transparency of innovation paths and provided a reference for different economies to achieve sustainable development.

Social entrepreneurial ecosystems in Euroregions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge of social entrepreneurial ecosystems and test their effect on social entrepreneurial activity in a cross-border context. Design/methodology/approach The current research used the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis method on a sample of 4,357 cross-border cooperation (CBC) projects implemented between 2014 and 2020, spread over 40 Euroregions. Findings Single ecosystem elements can be sufficient conditions but with a limited effect on cross-border social entrepreneurship. Configurations of ecosystem elements can be necessary conditions with synergetic effects. A geographical pattern was identified in the spread of configurations across Europe. Research limitations/implications Geographical, quantitative and project data constraints exist. The authors call for research into synergies between ecosystem elements in cross-border contexts and ecosystem patterns across Europe. Practical implications Policymakers, their cross-border counterparts and Euroregions could coordinate their efforts to improve ecosystems’ impact and involve social entrepreneurs to scale impact in neighboring countries. Social implications Involving social entrepreneurs in CBC projects will show how social impact in one country can be valuable for solving issues in the neighboring country. This will increase the valuation of innovative solutions, create opportunities for scaling social impact and contribute to the European (EU) Cohesion Policy. Originality/value The study uses a novel approach by investigating the effect of social entrepreneurial ecosystems in Euroregions on social entrepreneurial activity in a cross-border context. The study shows that the impact of social entrepreneurial ecosystems does not stop at the country’s borders.

Perceptions and configurations of balanced scorecard use: evidence from Portuguese SMEs

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify managerial perceptions, as well as individual and organizational contingencies, that influence the use of balanced scorecard (BSC) among SMEs. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a mixed methods approach to study the use of the BSC from a survey database of 414 SMEs across several industries in Portugal. Findings This paper shows the perceived benefits, reasoning and obstacles that managers face when using the BSC in SMEs. The BSC is not the first choice for strategic management control of most firms in the sample. Most SMEs in this study have an explicitly formulated business strategy. The results show that it is possible to implement the BSC in SMEs without a formalized strategy. Such findings seem to suggest that the use of the BSC may stimulate the formulation of strategies for those firms. Research limitations/implications The use of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis limits the generalization of the findings; nonetheless, the transparency of the report enables replication without restrictions. Practical implications This paper proposes that the size of the firm and the characteristics of the manager may compensate for the absence of a strategy to guide BSC use. Social implications This paper advises a match between the stage of development of the SMEs strategy and the gender of the manager, which may have implications for recruitment purposes. Originality/value This study reports alternative configurations of individual and organizational conditions that lead to the use of the BSC in SMEs as well as configurations that prevent its use.

Sustainable leadership and knowledge ingredients - the recipe for sustainable competitive advantage: a mixed-method approach

ABSTRACT Drawing on the principles of complexity theory, the research seeks to ascertain the causal configurations that can lead to enhanced Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The sample was drawn from HEIs in Pakistan. The research used asymmetrical fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify the antecedent conditions that predict high SCA scores in HEIs. The results revealed several configurations that can help HEIs improve SCA, complementing the major tenets of complexity theory. Symmetric methods see SCA as the result of isolated antecedents, they have significant limitations when it comes to understanding SCA, which is a complex construct. This is evident from recent research. Symmetric approaches have fewer theoretical ramifications and are less informative. The study adds to the literature on leadership and knowledge management by highlighting the causal configurations that result in improved SCA. The research will assist management in understanding the complexity of SCA and the possibility that different recipes may be more effective in enhancing SCA than concentrating on individual factors and their effects on HEIs. Managers will find new paths to SCA with the aid of the study.

Green human resource management in a family business setting: a fuzzy set approach

ABSTRACT Sustainability in family businesses as an entrepreneurial initiative is an emerging research field. The literature assumes that owners, managers, and employees in family businesses adopt homogeneous sustainability practices as a global construct mixing social and environmental issues. However, green human resource management (GHRM), considered as an innovative process, is focused on understanding how regular managers and employees become green-oriented and aim for business sustainability by applying green policies and practices. Based on previous green HRM research, this study proposes to apply a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify the combinations of key practices observed in 513 family businesses in Quebec. This perspective helps to explain some of the boundary conditions and combinations of green HRM practices in family businesses based on more realistic insights by avoiding a merely linear analysis. We highlight four different pathways connecting green HRM system to economic performance. This study is the first to explore green HRM practices in family businesses. The paper concludes by discussing how the findings advance knowledge on sustainability in family business research.

Patterns of innovation-driven tourism competitiveness: Insights from 270 Chinese cities

This paper utilizes innovation ecosystem theory to examine how an innovation ecosystem (comprising economic, technological, labor, and institutional subsystems) promotes tourism competitiveness through internal interaction. Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and necessary condition analysis techniques, this study assesses the necessity and sufficiency of an innovation ecosystem for high tourism competitiveness. Findings demonstrate that industrial structure and human capital innovations are requisite for tourism competitiveness, with the former being more universally applicable. Further, this study identifies an earlier innovation-driven mechanism for superior tourism competitiveness: leveraging industrial structure and human capital, and four contemporary innovation-driven mechanisms: leveraging industrial structure, leveraging policy, leveraging technology, and leveraging industrial structure and wages. The rationalization of industrial structure and human capital enhancement serve distinct bottleneck roles. This article contributes to understanding the link between innovation ecosystems and tourism and similarly suggests approaches for enhancing tourism competitiveness through innovation system development.

Navigating uncertainty: configurations of entrepreneurial behaviors for new venture performance

Purpose The entrepreneurial process often cannot be explained by a single entrepreneurial theory. Instead, it is more likely the result of the interaction between various entrepreneurial behavior patterns and different environmental conditions. However, existing research has frequently overlooked the complexity inherent in the entrepreneurial phenomenon. Building on a configurational perspective, this study aims to examine how new ventures can use different behavioral configurations to achieve high performance amid various uncertain environments. Design/methodology/approach Based on the survey data from 143 new start-ups in China’s software industry, this study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings This study jointly considers multiple entrepreneurial behaviors − causation, effectuation and entrepreneurial bricolage and different types of environmental uncertainty − state uncertainty, effect uncertainty and response uncertainty. The findings reveal three behavioral configurations for high/nonhigh new venture performance. Originality/value This study expands previous insights into the relationship between entrepreneurial behaviors and new venture performance from the perspective of configurational theory. Moreover, it offers new insights into the types of uncertainty, further refining our understanding of the uncertainties inherent in entrepreneurial activities.