Multi-case Study Research Research Articles

Concept of Human Resources Development to Improve Teacher Performance: Multi-Case Study

This study aims to analyze the concept of Human Resource Development carried out by schools in improving the performance of teaching staff at Elementary School Muhammadiyah of 1 Jember and Al Baitul Amien of 1 Jember. This research method uses a qualitative approach with a multi-case study design. The multi-case study used in this study uses two research sites. Data collection techniques in this study used participant observation, documentation, and interviews. Based on the research conducted, it can be concluded that the concept of the human resource development program carried out by these schools to improve the quality of teacher performance, namely: (1) increasing the abilities, skills, attitudes, and responsibilities of educators (teachers) to be more effective and efficient, (2) optimizing human resource development as much as possible by delegating to educators (teachers), and (3) striving to improve education quality by recommending educators (teachers) to take further studies to a higher level. There is no multi-case study research in improving the performance of students.

The Impact of International Trade on Poverty in Least Developed Countries: With Empirical Study on Bangladesh and Somalia

Whiles an expected rippling ramification of international trade and globalization is poverty alleviation, several other equally important factors affect poverty levels in a country. Unfortunately, poverty levels across the world continue to surge especially in least developed countries. This research paper therefore sets to analyze the impact of international trade on poverty levels and inequality in least developed countries; Bangladesh and Somalia. Using a multi-case study research strategy, the standard cross-country regression analysis model and collecting data from secondary sources, it was revealed that in Bangladesh, trade openness and GDP Per Capita international trade parameters tested have significant influence on poverty gap but inflation rates do not. In addition, trade openness and inflation rates do not also have significant statistical relation with poverty incidence except for GDP Per Capita. On the flipside, trade openness and GDP Per Capita international trade parameters do not have any significant influence on poverty gap in Somalia but inflation rates do have real influence. With regards to the impact on poverty incidence, again trade openness, GDP Per Capita and inflation rates do not reflect appreciable statistical relation with poverty incidence. The study further show that trade openness and GDP Per Capita in Bangladesh significantly explains the observed variations in GINI indices, unlike inflation rates which does not show significant relations. However, in Somalia trade openness, GDP Per Capita and inflation do not account for the observed variations in GINI indices; implying a negative correlation between GDP Per Capita and inequality in Somalia. It is recommended that Bangladesh must continually measure and closely monitor its trade openness and GDP Per Capita indicators in their quest to reduce poverty gap, and also check their GDP Per Capita to reduce poverty incidence. Somalia on the other hand must develop and implement inflation reduction strategies in order to minimize poverty gap. In general, least developed nations should explore their available natural resources to their comparative advantage, empower local producers and limit the competition from foreign products. Moreover, they should adopt trade and poverty analysis models that would help in monitoring critical indicators in real time. Future works should also consider expanding the dynamics of cause and effect in international trade practice, poverty levels and income distribution across any geographical jurisdiction.

Culture Learning Management Al-Quran Model Tilawati to Improve Student Character

This study aims to determine the culture of learning, management functions, and the learning process of the Quran with the Tilawati model, as well as to determine the character development by learning the Quran with the Tilawati model at Junior High School Al Muslim of Sidoarjo, Islamic Junior High School of 1 Surabaya and Junior High School of 34 Surabaya. This study used a multi-case study research method with a purposive sampling technique with the research subjects, namely 3 schools. The collection is done by giving questions related to culture, learning management, and the learning process in the three schools. From the research it can be concluded that 1) The culture of learning Al-Quran with the Tilawati model provides a fairly good contribution to fostering student character, 2) The use of management science principles in the implementation of the Tilawati model of Al Quran learning program is very appropriate, 3) The learning process of the Al-Quran model consists of interrelated components, including; graduation targets about quality and quantity, curriculum, management of learning Al-Quran with the Tilawati model, 4) To foster 25 student characters through learning the Tilawati Al-Quran model is done by designing learning with syntax or learning stages that are systematically arranged. This research implies that it can be used as material to improve the implementation of the Al-Quran learning culture by developing modern learning management principles.

Digital transformation and customer value creation in Made in Italy SMEs: A dynamic capabilities perspective

This study examines the impact of digital transformation on customer value creation in the context of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) operating in the Made in Italy sectors, with the aim of understanding how dynamic capabilities, as enabling mechanisms, may foster digital transformation. We use multi-case study research on the digital transformation of six Made in Italy SMEs, belonging to the food, fashion, and furniture design industries. The results show that, for the selected SMEs, digital instruments contribute to innovation of their business model, creating new distribution channels and new ways to create and deliver value to customer segments. The results highlight the relevance of sensing and learning capabilities as triggers of digital transformation. In addition to the theoretical contribution to the existing literature on digital transformation and organizational capability, this study provides some managerial implications for digital transformation in SMEs operating in the Made in Italy sectors.

Identification and classification of change causes and effects in construction projects

Managing changes has become a critical issue in the construction industry in recent years. Changes are inevitable throughout the lifecycle of the construction project. Understanding change causes and effects can support project teams to manage changes proactively. Although various research articles are published in this field, a comprehensive and systematic overview of change causes and effects is missing due to different terminologies and perspectives, lack of distinction between generic and project-specific causes, and lack of validation with industry experts. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify and classify change causes and effects in construction projects. A multi-case study research method is utilised to achieve the objective of the study. The study provides two contributions to the body of knowledge of change management. First, a comprehensive list of 85 change causes and 45 change effects which are identified from the literature and multi-case study are presented. Around 3951 changes from 19 construction projects are investigated to identify causes and effects. Second, a taxonomy is proposed to classify change causes and effects. The proposed taxonomy consists of three levels with an increasing level of detail of the change cause and effect and it can support project teams to develop strategies to eliminate or minimise changes in the construction project.

Family-external business succession: the case of management buy-ins

There is often a “hard break” if family businesses undergo a family-external business succession. This break materializes in the way how the company conducts entrepreneurial action as external successors often lead differently and it takes considerable time to take action. This may cause crises that are hard to handle. This article employs entrepreneurship theory to locate the areas where problems occur and conducts multi-case study research to examine the problems by qualitative empirical research. Developed propositions condense the core findings. The findings reveal the tension of family firms in successions as the entrepreneurial tasks range on a high level while neither predecessor nor successor are fully in place. Delegation to skilled, empowered staff or even outsiders is an effective response during pre-succession phases. In the post-succession phase, alert prioritization approaches allow successors to cope with the multitude of entrepreneurial challenges. Organizational routines and management directives support the succession over the different phases.

Reference architecture design for farm management information systems: a multi-case study approach

One of the key elements of precision agriculture is the farm management information system (FMIS) that is responsible for data management, analytics and subsequent decision support. Various FMISs have been developed to support the management of farm businesses. A key artefact in the development of FMISs is the software architecture that defines the gross level structure of the system. The software architecture is important for understanding the system, analysing the design decisions and guiding the further development of the system based on the architecture. To assist in the design of the FMIS architecture, several reference architectures have been provided in the literature. Unfortunately, in practice, it is less trivial to derive the application architecture from these reference architectures. Two underlying reasons for this were identified. First of all, it appears that the proposed reference architectures do not specifically focus on FMIS but have a rather broad scope of the agricultural domain in general. Secondly, the proposed reference architectures do not seem to have followed the proper architecture documentation guidelines as defined in the software architecture community, lack precision, and thus impeding the design of the required application architectures. Presented in this article is a novel reference architecture that is dedicated to the specific FMIS domain, and which is documented using the software architecture documentation guidelines. In addition, the systematic approach for deriving application architectures from the proposed reference architecture is provided. To illustrate the approach, the results of multi-case study research are shown in which the presented reference architecture is used for deriving different FMIS application architectures.

A Governança e o desempenho das instituições comunitárias de ensino superior: um estudo multicaso da Unijuí e da Univates

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as contribuições da governança no desempenho das Instituições Comunitárias de Ensino Superior (ICES), Unijuí e Univates. O estudo foi realizado utilizando a orientação paradigmática interpretativista da realidade social, classificado como uma pesquisa social com finalidade aplicada, através dos níveis de estudo exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa. Os procedimentos técnicos utilizados foram pesquisa bibliográfica, estudo multicaso, pesquisa documental e de campo. Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas semiestruturadas e a análise de dados foi realizada utilizando o método Direct Research. Os resultados demonstraram que em ICES o número de alunos não necessariamente reflete um desempenho econômico-financeiro positivo e crescente. Para tanto, compreende-se que, quanto mais qualificados, engajados, reestruturados e antecedidos por planejamento, os integrantes da estrutura de governança estiverem, melhores serão os resultados obtidos. Observou-se que os valores e as dimensões da governança estiveram presentes nos períodos analisados. Os atores institucionais, integrantes da estrutura governança, demonstraram aprimoramento da gestão com o passar dos anos, proporcionando vantagem competitiva. Na Unijuí foram identificados quatro períodos de mudanças e adaptações estratégicas, e na Univates três períodos. Embora o estudo empírico se concentre em duas organizações específicas, é razoável supor que este cenário, por fatores isomórficos, reflita em boa parte a dinâmica de funcionamento do sistema comunitário gaúcho de educação superior laico.

The Contribution of Conceptual Independence to IT Infrastructure Flexibility: The Case of openEHR

In the Netherlands demands on IT support in healthcare organizations are increasing. New visions on healthcare focus on patient-centered healthcare, where mutual consultation among healthcare professionals in the network becomes a standard process. Recent governmental regulations prescribe that patients must be able to access personal health records. IT flexibility is needed to allow organizations to meet new demands. In this study we focus on Conceptual Independence (CI) because CI, as a design principle, can improve the adaptability of Information Systems (IS). Software with CI operates on flexible data models that are independent of the CI based application. Therefore, it is claimed that a standalone IS becomes more flexible with CI. We extend the claim by demonstrating that CI affects the flexibility of the entire IT infrastructure. We investigate which dimensions of IT flexibility are responsible for the improvement. Multi-case study research has been performed following a mixed-methods approach in 10 mental healthcare organizations. Five have implemented openEHR, a proxy for CI, and five have not. Data has been collected with a questionnaire of IT infrastructure flexibility and semi-structured interviews. The data synthesis shows a positive effect of CI on IT flexibility, as CI increases the adaptability of IS, transparency and standardization of the IT infrastructure.

Mobilities of policy and mobile parents – creating a new dynamic in policy borrowing within state schooling

ABSTRACT In this article, we focus on the transformations imposed on schools by individual parents, arguing that schools as modern organisations change not only through top-down pressures orchestrated by an array of international organisations, for-profit companies and media as shown in previous research, but also through the agency of mobile parents, who seek to import reforms from elsewhere, based on their previous schooling experiences abroad. We focus on a specific group of middle class parents, who are continuously mobile, moving between global cities for employment. This paper brings into the discussion the role of individual parental strategies as they seek to promote education policy-borrowing. By applying the theoretical lens of stakeholder identification and salience, using a multi case study research design, we suggest that parents express high levels of power, legitimacy and a sense of urgency, thus being able to successfully advocate for change. We argue that while exploring organisational reform occurring due to the globalisation of education, we must view parents as central actors in this new space.

Collective identity construction in international collaborations

This article explores the dynamic processes of collective identity formation among the participating organizational members in interorganizational collaborations that cross national boundaries. A longitudinal, qualitative multi-case study research approach was adopted in the empirical investigation of collective identity in three international business collaborations that involve a Sino-British strategic partnership, a Sino-Australian, and a Sino-Polish joint venture. Based on the analyses of the data collected from in-depth interviews, participant observation, and archival materials, a theoretical framework of collective identity (re)formation is developed. It suggests that two inseparable elements (states and processes) constitute a cyclic and enduring process of collective identity formation through partners’ orchestrating discursive resources involving a common sense of ‘we-ness’. The shifts between various states are driven by partners’ processes of negotiation, integration, solidification, and reformation of collective identity. A deconstruction process may also emerge, giving rise to the termination of the collaborative relationship. The research presented in this article advances the understanding of collective identity formation in the field of organizational identity by extending the discursive perspective of collective identity into the context of interorganizational collaborations that cross national borders. This research also provides further empirical evidence on the active role played by organizational members in the use of cultural narratives as strategic resources to express their identity beliefs, which differs from the deterministic view of culture in shaping organizational members’ behaviors.

Education Quality Improvement Through Usaid Prioritas Development (Multi-Case Study in State Elementary School Babatan I And State Elementary School Wiyung Surabaya

This study uses qualitative research, with the type of multi-case study research. The main data source in this study was obtained by snowball sampling. Data collection techniques in this study used three techniques, namely observation, interviews, and documentation. The locations used as research sites were State Elementary School Babatan I and State Elementary School Wiyung, which are partnering with USAID Prioritas. State Elementary School Babatan I before partnering with USAID was accredited B, but after partnering with USAID accredited A in 2016. State Elementary School Wiyung was able to maintain its accreditation after partnering with USAID. The conclusion of this study states that improving the quality of education in State Elementary School Babatan I and State Elementary School Wiyung has been reached. This can be seen from the acceleration of changes in both physical development, and human resources, especially teachers and students both in quantity and quality.

Leadership in, of, and for smart cities – case studies from Europe, America, and Australia

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses leadership in, of, and for smart cities. Using a multi-case study research design and Mode 2 research (based upon collaboration between a scholar and a practitioner), we explore smart city initiatives in Europe (Amsterdam, Bristol, and Milton Keynes), North and South America (Chicago and Curitiba), and Australia (Melbourne). We undertake a comparative analysis which looks at leadership through six lenses: place, purpose, person, position, process, and performance. From our analysis four modes of smart city leadership emerge: smart cities as digital government, smart cities as digital driver for economic growth, smart cities as an open platform for digital socio-political innovation, and smart cities as an open platform for digital economy.

Conceptualizing Sustainability Governance Implementation for Infrastructure Delivery Systems in Developing Countries: Success Factors

Infrastructure delivery processes possess the potential to negatively influence sustainability. To curb the incidence of these processes within infrastructure delivery systems, the enthronement of an effective project management and governance framework becomes imperative. This led to the emergence of literature on sustainable project management practice. However, studies seeking to modify existing project governance structures in like manner remain limited. This study contributes to this emerging discourse on the utility of project governance competencies in facilitating sustainable infrastructure delivery. To achieve this objective, this study identifies critical success factors central to the design of effective sustainability governance structures of a typical infrastructure delivery (ID) system with the assistance of a cybernetic system framework—the viable infrastructure delivery systems model (VIDM). Adopting a qualitative multi-case study research design, this study deploys semi-structured interviews for data elicitation through purposively sampled interviewees within the identified cases and a document review. Qualitative content analysis (QCA) was deployed for data analysis. Findings from this study provide success factors for designing effective sustainability governance structures for ID systems. It is expected that the findings from this study will contribute to the emerging discourse concerning sustainability governance of ID systems.

Success Factors for Effective Contractor-led Stakeholder Relationship Management: Perspectives from the Botswana Construction Industry

Stakeholder relationship management (SRM) remains critical to the attainment of successful project outcomes. This is particularly the case in the construction industry: an industry often described as considerably fragmented and project-based with a multiplicity of stakeholders with vested interests. Burgeoning incidences of project failure has been attributed to poor SRM. A lot of studies investigating stakeholder management exist, yet a paucity of studies looking into SRM has been noticed. Most of these studies have sought to investigate the phenomenon from a client perspective without taking cognizance of the contractor’s role in SRM. Also, the tendency of these studies to overlook stakeholder dynamics as it concerns power, uncertainty, etc. during various stages of the project lifecycle is observed. These are the gaps which this study will seek to fill relying on the customer relationship model (CRM) theoretical lens. A multi-case study research design is proposed. Different contractor organizations were selected based on a set of predetermined criteria. A plethora of within-case interviews and document reviews will be utilized in eliciting data concerning the approach adopted by construction contractors for managing extant relationships with critical stakeholders. The data was analysed thematically. It is expected that success factors will result from the elicited narratives. The following success factors for effective management of stakeholder relationship management emerged from the interviews and documents: Communication, understanding of stakeholders, the different types of stakeholders and type of project, management, and interpersonal skills, collaboration, engagement, and conflict management. This artefact will be compared to different CRM models to identify probable success factors for engendering effective stakeholder relationship management. Furthermore, the study’s findings will seek to contribute towards the development of a contractor-centric stakeholder relationship management framework for the Botswana construction industry.

Adjustment and support in preparation of retirement: an approach from socialization

Retirement as a process of learning and socialization, rather than as a break or departure from the work environment, favors its preparation by visualizing it as the start of a new life stage with different characteristics and role from those previously lived. The objective of this study is to acknowledge retirement’s preparation, the expected social support and the adjustment factors for retirement in workers with many years of work experience and close to retirement, also byidentifying, how they describe retirement, how should they face to old age and the affectation they would have with the change of role in retirement. The research is of qualitative nature, narrative design of topic, multi-case study research strategy through judgment sampling from employees close to their retirement from various companies using an interview data collection technique and a structured interview guide instrument. Results reveal that they do consider retirement preparation useful, that the social support they expect comes from the family and consider that stress is a mismatch factor when deciding to retire.

Manajemen Personalia Lembaga Pendidikan: MA Darul Ihsan Samarinda dan SMA YPM Diponogoro Tenggarong Seberang

In its development, madrasas experienced ups and downs in their development. The most basic problem is the management aspect. The following cases of management are interesting to note. There are schools or madrasas that initially experience setbacks, then can progress rapidly. On the other hand, there are schools or madrassas that initially developed, but then almost went out of business. One of the reasons is due to the management that is not mature enough, therefore personnel management in the world of education is very important especially in educational institutions especially Islamic-based educational institutions. This study aims to determine the application of personnel management in Islamic education institutions and supporting and inhibiting factors in its application. This research is a type of field research with a multi-case study research approach. Data collection methods used Participatory Observation and In-depth interviews. The steps of data analysis in this study use the analysis of the Miles and Huberman models. Based on the results of research in the field it was found that: 1) The implementation of personnel management in MA Darul Ihsan Samarinda and YPM Diponegoro Tenggarong Seberang High School which consisted of educators and education staff. There are several components of personnel management, including seven components that have different divisions and elements, namely planning, recruitment, coaching, dismissal, but there are three important components that have not been comprehensively applied, namely compensation, appointment and evaluation. 2) Supporting factors for the implementation of personnel management in MA Darul Ihsan Samarinda and YPM Diponegoro Tenggarong Seberang High School are the motivation given by the madrasa headmaster and headmaster to their personnel so that they always try to be better and give encouragement or enthusiasm in carrying out their tasks. Both vision, mission, goals because each institution must have a vision, mission and goals as well as MA Darul Ihsan Samarinda and YPM Diponegoro Tenggarong High School have a vision, mission and clear objectives, while the inhibiting factor in the implementation of personnel administration is a means of implementing administration in MA Darul Ihsan Samarinda and YPM Diponegoro Tenggarong Seberang High School due to the unavailability of sufficient funds and human resources in their fields.

Developing Endogenous Innovations: Corporate Entrepreneurship and Effectuation

Abstract We empirically explore the process of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) through the conceptual lens of effectuation, a theory describing how entrepreneurs innovate. In particular, we investigate how endogenous innovations emerge and evolve into new products or services. The study thus provides an alternative perspective to most CE research that assumes a causation or rational-analytic approach to innovation. We implement a qualitative, multi-case study research design with corporate innovation projects as the level of analysis. Data are from interviews as well as secondary sources and were analyzed using within and cross case analysis. Findings reveal organic stages through which ideas are shaped into viable products. Findings show important effectuation principles at work including stakeholder commitments, affordable loss thinking, and a focus on control instead of prediction. Interestingly, findings illustrate how effectuation may differ in the corporate as compared to the new venture context. Implications for the wider literature are discussed along with limitations of the research design.

Formative mixed-method multicase study research to inform the development of a safer sex and healthy relationships intervention in further education (FE) settings: the SaFE Project

ObjectivesSexual health includes pleasurable, safe, sexual experiences free from coercion, discrimination and violence. In the UK, many young people’s experiences fall short of this definition. This study aimed to inform...

Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions of Information Literacy Skills

Information literacy (IL) is a precondition for lifelong learning, especially for teachers whose profession authorises them to impart knowledge to students who are expected to be resourceful and critical thinkers. The study investigated the perceptions of secondary school teachers of IL skills, in the two cities of Lagos, Nigeria, and Durban, South Africa, focusing on six research questions. The post-positivist research paradigm was adopted for this study, which combines both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies through a multicase study research design. Data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, observation and document analysis that included a literature review. The target population was secondary school teachers in Lagos and Durban. The study revealed the following: 1)Â teachers in Durban had a higher level of perception of the need for IL than their counterparts in Lagos, 2)Â electronic information resources were infrequently used by the teachers, 3)Â younger teachers tend to possess a higher level of IL than their older colleagues, which makes in-service training imperative, 4)Â female teachers are significantly more information literate than their male counterparts, 5)Â many of the school libraries seem to have been afterthoughts, and the specifications for library building and planning were not observed as itemised by IFLA library building guidelines, and 6)Â interaction and collaboration between teachers and librarians are limited. The study recommended a comprehensive policy review to deal with IL challenges, with appropriate training and workshops for teachers topping the list.