Multi-method Research Approach Research Articles

From responsibility ping-pong to shared responsibility for 1.5° lifestyles? Examining European stakeholder perspectives

We are currently witnessing a paradox in climate governance (CG): despite growing awareness of the socio-biophysical impacts of current lifestyles, there remains a persistent commitment to high-consumption habits with large carbon footprints. Around this paradox, a debate on responsibility for change has developed. Which actor can and should do what to solve the problem? Simultaneously, however, scholars depict trends towards ‘organised irresponsibility’ (Beck, 1988) and individual responsibilisation bound to be ineffective in the context of existing structural challenges. The most likely result of such dynamics is a responsibility ping-pong with actors assigning responsibility to each other, which, in turn, invites the question of how it might be overcome. What other forms of talking about and organising responsibility might exist that could provide an actual basis for transformation change? Disentangling discourses around responsibility in CG, thus, is crucial for enabling a shift in consumption patterns and lifestyles that are compatible with the 1.5° Paris climate target. The present article pursues this objective. Building on a multi-method research approach, including stakeholder laboratories, expert interviews, and Delphi workshops across several European countries, it explores to whom and how European stakeholders in CG, specifically governments, businesses and citizens, assign responsibility, what risks and opportunities are involved, and what indications of a potential for game change exist. The findings uncover a complex web of pre-empted responsibility, which frequently leads to pessimism or ineffective strategies. However, the research also identifies some opportunities for organising a shared, justice-oriented and comprehensive notion of responsibility (Young, 2006).

“Similar to Legal Companies”: Vendor Brands and Other Aspects of Marketing Communication in the Darknet Drug Trade

ABSTRACT The darknet or illicit online drug trade has expanded significantly in recent years. Vendors’ marketing communication strategies remain underexplored, however, as researchers focus on well-identified methods such as product quality, delivery times, or stealth shipping techniques. This study aims to show the multifaceted nature of sellers’ marketing practices on the dark web, including nonstandard approaches such as discounts, free samples, sales, contests, and lotteries. The article presents a case study of Cebulka, the largest Polish-language darknet market, using qualitative content analysis, natural language processing, descriptive statistics, and in-depth interviews. On Cebulka, vendors build relationships with buyers and maintain their trust through “marketing as promise management,” which includes feedback and review systems. The multi-method research approach reveals the nuanced nature of marketing on darknet platforms, drawing parallels and distinctions with traditional drug marketing. Additionally, this study contributes to understanding the darknet drug trade within the context of local markets, another underexplored topic.

Project risk management in practice: the actuality of project risk management in organizations

PurposeThis paper explores how risks are managed in project practice beyond formalized risk management processes by applying the lens of actuality research to project risk management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows a qualitative multimethod research approach utilizing literature review, interviews, observations and document analysis. The paper is based on three case studies and one interview study in project organizations facing green transition challenges.FindingsLittle work exists to reveal how risk management is actually done by project practitioners, and why. Few studies report on contextual variation and consider confounding factors beyond a “one size fits all” formalized explicit risk management process, despite ample evidence that risks are managed outside the formal process. The study documents that informal and/or implicit risk management activities add significantly more value.Originality/valueThe paper contributes a literature review of research into the actuality of project risk management, a sense-making framework of how risks are managed in practice beyond the formal, explicit risk-management process by including informal and/or implicit risk management activities, an empirical study of risk-management practice highlighting that informal and/or implicit risk-management activities dominate in practice, a discussion of why risks are managed outside formalized, explicit process and a research agenda to enable the design of impactful project risk-management practices.

Understanding the complexities of omnichannel retailing through a service-dominant logic framework: exploring the role of digitalization in the retail ecosystem

ABSTRACT Retailing’s digital transformation continues to exert pressure on marketers to effectively design and manage consumers’ shopping experiences. A multi-method research approach was adopted to thoroughly examine the current state of consumer experiences in an omnichannel retailing context. Specifically, a bibliometric analysis of 561 omnichannel retailing articles in the Web of Science database was conducted, revealing a lack of research focused on the service-dominant logic perspective. Therefore, the proposed conceptual framework utilized a service-dominant logic perspective, emphasizing the interconnected roles of various actors in shaping consumers’ experiences and their assessments of value-in-use within complex omnichannel retailing. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first comprehensive framework for understanding consumer value-in-use in omnichannel retailing, linking antecedents, consumers’ value-in-use experiences, and consequences for consumers and retailers. In summary, this paper conceptualizes how consumers perceive value co-creation within an omnichannel retail ecosystem, contributing to the development of omnichannel strategies that optimize consumers’ value-in-use across the retail landscape.

‘Undivided’ city in a divided society: explaining the peaceful coexistence of Albanians and Serbs in Kamenicë/Kamenica, Kosovo

ABSTRACT The goal of this paper is to examine which factors have influenced interethnic relations between Albanians and Serbs in Kamenicë/Kamenica, which is significantly less hostile compared to other towns in Kosovo. Utilizing a multi-method research approach, we find these factors include historical-demographic, geopolitical, institutional, economic and cultural factors, as well as the work of the members of the international peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions deployed in the municipality of Kamenicë/Kamenica in June of 1999. Based on our findings, the concept of local-local hybridization is proposed as the main theoretical contribution to the theory of hybrid peace. This concept entails long-lasting interactions between ethnic groups in a local (post-conflict) community under different social circumstances and factors that affected their coexistence, whereby this must be supported by peacebuilding and peacekeeping activities adapted to the aforementioned concept if peace is to be sustained.

Supply chain resilience capabilities in automotive and other industries: a mixed method approach

PurposeWhile, supply chain resilience (SCRES) continues to be a dominant topic in both academic and business literature and has gained more attention recently, there is limited knowledge on SCRES capabilities specific to business functions. The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate capabilities shared between supply, operations and logistics that are most important for SCRES.Design/methodology/approachTo address this gap, the authors followed a multi-method research approach. First, the authors used the grounded theory method to generate a theoretical framework based on interviews with 51 managers from five companies in automotive SCs. Next, the authors empirically validated the framework using a survey of 340 SC professionals from the manufacturing industry.FindingsFive significant capabilities emerged from the qualitative study; all were significant in empirical validation. This research advances the knowledge of SCRES as it informs managerial decision-making by identifying capabilities common to supply, logistics and operations that impact SCRES.Originality/valueThis research advances the knowledge of SCRES as it informs managerial decision-making by identifying capabilities common to supply, logistics and operations that impact SCRES. In addition, the findings of this research help managers better allocate resources among significant capabilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON LAND USE COMPATIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

This study examined the environmental impact of urbanization on land use compatibility and environmental quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The study adopted the multi-method research, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches through the convergent mixed method technique, where 399 household heads were selected from 189,317 household heads using the Taro Yamane formula. Questionnaires and checklists were administered to the household heads and ten (10) key informants respectively. Descriptive statistics, critical informant content analysis, and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques were employed for data presentation and analysis for the study. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was employed to test stated hypothesis for the study. The findings revealed numerous environmental changes resulting from land use/land cover change activities in the area to include deforestation, which accounted for 20.5%, degradation, which represented 19.7%, forest degradation corresponding to 19.7%, generation of waste causing pollution, accounting for 20% and decrease in environmental quality corresponding to 20.1% of the total sampled population of the study. Additionally, the impact of urbanization on environmental quality were revealed as flooding, which accounted for 11% of the sampled respondents as well as air pollution, representing 10.8%. Others ecological disaster (8.7%), waste disposal damping (8.9%), land use incompatibility (7.4%), slum developments and urban heat island (9.6%), land use conflict (8.1%), reduced wetland (8.4%), environmental degradation (7.4%), land use conversion (6.8%), overcrowding of buildings (7.1%) and habitat contamination (7.9%). The study concludes that rapid urbanization has significantly impacted land use compatibility and environmental sustainability in Port Harcourt metropolis. It is therefore recommended amongst others that the government should implement stringent urban development control measures to regulate land use and ensure sustainable urban growth as well as establish policies that limit haphazard expansion and promote planned development.

Revisiting a Positive Living Group Climate as a Citizenship Climate: A Socio-Spatial Perspective on Residential Youth Care

Abstract The concept of a positive living group climate is currently used as a key strategy to substantially realise the citizenship of youngsters in residential youth care. The concept focuses mainly on what happens inside the residential youth care facility, as the interpersonal relationships between the professionals and the youngsters are identified as the main component of a positive living group climate. How the youngsters practise and experience their citizenship in their everyday lives is also socio-spatially shaped and accommodated outside the residential youth care facility. We implement a multi-method qualitative research approach to explore how the pedagogical climate in residential youth care is socio-spatially shaped and accommodated as a living environment. The findings show that residential youth care is embedded in a wider social living environment in which youngsters navigate physically and socially through different relationships, circumstances and pedagogical milieus. This results in a synergy between dynamics in residential youth care and the wider social living environment, in which meaningful pedagogical interventions can take place. We consider it necessary to deepen and broaden the concept of a positive living group climate in residential youth care, revisiting the pedagogical climate as a citizenship climate.

Exploring the Needs and Requirements of Informal Caregivers of Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment From Sensor-Based Care Solutions: Multimethod Study.

With the increase in the older adult population, sensor-based care solutions that can monitor the deviations in physical, emotional, and physiological activities in real-time from a distance are demanded for prolonging the stay of community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment. To effectively develop and implement these care solutions, it is important to understand the current experiences, future expectations, perceived usefulness (PU), and communication needs of the informal caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment regarding such solutions. This comprehensive study with informal caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment aims to (1) highlight current experiences with (if any) and future expectations from general sensor-based care solutions, (2) explore PU specifically toward unobtrusive sensing solutions (USSs), (3) determine the information communication (IC) needs and requirements for communicating the information obtained through USSs in different care scenarios (fall, nocturnal unrest, agitation, and normal daily life), and (4) elicit the design features for designing the interaction platform in accordance with the persuasive system design (PSD) model. A multimethod research approach encompassing a survey (N=464) and in-depth interviews (10/464, 2.2%) with informal caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment was used. The insights into past experiences with and future expectations from the sensor-based care solutions were obtained through inductive thematic analysis of the interviews. A convergent mixed methods approach was used to explore PU and gather the IC needs from USSs by using scenario-specific questions in both survey and interviews. Finally, the design features were elicited by using the PSD model on the obtained IC needs and requirements. Informal caregivers expect care infrastructure to consider centralized and empathetic care approaches. Specifically, sensor-based care solutions should be adaptable to care needs, demonstrate trust and reliability, and ensure privacy and safety. Most informal caregivers found USSs to be useful for emergencies (mean 4.09, SD 0.04) rather than for monitoring normal daily life activities (mean 3.50, SD 0.04). Moreover, they display variations in information needs including mode, content, time, and stakeholders involved based on the care scenario at hand. Finally, PSD features, namely, reduction, tailoring, personalization, reminders, suggestions, trustworthiness, and social learning, were identified for various care scenarios. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the care scenario at hand drives PU and IC design needs and requirements toward USSs. Therefore, future technology developers are recommended to develop technology that can be easily adapted to diverse care scenarios, whereas designers of such sensor-driven platforms are encouraged to go beyond tailoring and strive for strong personalization while maintaining the privacy of the users.

Invigorating Records Management Success through Archival Services in the Limpopo Provincial Government, South Africa

The study that informed this paper investigated the possibilities of invigorating records management success through archival services in the Limpopo provincial government in South Africa. A multi-method research approach was used, with a questionnaire and interviews to collect data. It was discovered that provincial archive institutions in the Limpopo Province were under-resourced and, therefore, unable to render supportive services to the departments to enhance their records management. The provincial archives could not render services like training and support visits owing to a shortage of staff and lack of transport, among other reasons. The study provides a framework for invigorating records management success through archival services in the Limpopo provincial government, South Africa. This may help the provincial government of Limpopo to avoid audit disclaimers and litigation costs, to list only a few. The findings and recommendations of the study may serve as a resource and benchmark for organisational policymakers and strategists in improving records management services. Implementation of the proposed framework and recommendations may assist organisations in coming up with the best practices for the effective use of resources and support for smart records management strategies. Implementation of the recommendations of the study may also result in the best practices to properly manage records of enduring value, thereby preserving the memory and heritage of the state for citizens’ access. It will also strengthen proper administration and accountability for public services in the departments.

‘If they touch our cloudberries, that means war’: Rural liveability and acceptance of environmental impacts from event tourism

Through the lens of liveability and Buen Vivir, I explore how local actors form their acceptance of the physical impact on nature caused by a trail marathon in north-central Sweden, particularly given trail and soil erosion. With a qualitative multi-method research approach, the findings reveal that the local actors minimise the impacts by getting involved in various activities both inside and outside the event. Different knowledge and practices foster sustainability and create acceptance. While the growth of tourism creates unease and feelings of inadequate control, this event is seen as a distinct phenomenon. I show that liveability goes beyond perception and requires integration of the local environment into local practices. Current acceptance may however be eroded if more or larger events occur in the future. Policies and planning must therefore acknowledge and incorporate these local practices to create sustainability.

Synergy in Technology How Generative AI Augments the Capabilities of Customer Data Platforms

In an era marked by data-driven decision-making, Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) have emerged as pivotal tools for aggregating and analyzing customer data. However, as these platforms grapple with increasingly complex data sets and realtime customer engagement demands, there is a pressing need for more advanced, scalable solutions. This study explores the synergy between Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and CDPs, aiming to understand how the integration of generative algorithms can augment the capabilities of these platforms. Employing a multi-method research approach, including case studies, empirical analyses, and expert interviews, this paper investigates various applications of Generative AI within CDPs, such as data augmentation, real-time decision-making, and customer personalization. Moreover, the ethical implications of using generative algorithms, especially concerning data privacy and security, are critically examined. The study reveals that Generative AI can significantly enhance the functionality, performance, and efficiency of CDPs while also posing new questions around ethical considerations. Our findings offer invaluable insights for businesses, marketers, and technologists seeking to leverage the synergistic potential of these two advanced technological paradigms.

Flood risk assessment of the population in Afghanistan: A spatial analysis of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability

Flooding is a recurrent and severe natural hazard in Afghanistan, exacerbated by climate change, and poses significant threats to human lives and livelihoods. The country's socioeconomic vulnerabilities make it highly susceptible to the devastating impacts of disasters, resulting in loss of lives, livelihoods, and damage to public and private assets. This study employs a multimethod research approach, combining remote sensing-based flood data analysis with spatial analysis and literature studies, to comprehensively assess flood risk by considering hazard, exposure, and vulnerability indicators. Specifically, a 25-year return flood event was used to examine flood risk for the exposed population. The framework proposed by the IPCC in 2014 was adopted to define flood risk, encompassing hazard, exposure, and vulnerability components. The findings reveal that provinces located near major river basins, particularly in the southern, northern, and northeastern regions, experience the highest flood risk. Notably, the provinces of Nimroz and Helmand in the southern region exhibit pronounced risk index values of 0.20 and 0.10, with a highly exposed population of 36% and 15%, respectively, and vulnerability index values of 0.57 and 0.62. Similarly, in the northern and northeastern regions, the provinces of Jawzjan and Kunduz also display elevated risk levels, each with a risk index value of 0.11, characterized by highly exposed populations of 21% and 18%, respectively, and vulnerability index values of 0.53 and 0.57. This multi-method approach provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution of flood risk and the drivers of population exposure, assisting policymakers and decision-makers in formulating effective flood risk reduction strategies through targeted flood vulnerability and risk reduction measures.

Carbon-Neutral City Transformation with Digitization: Guidelines from International Standardization

Establishing carbon neutrality (or Net Zero) in cities appears to be an ambitious challenge, which drives urban transformation efforts around the world to enhance people-centric living. Cities launch corresponding strategies focusing mainly on the United Nations 2030 goals to form their climate-neutral future. This paper provides practical guidance on city digital transformation to achieve carbon Net Zero. These guidelines illustrate actionable recommendations to reduce their carbon footprint using digital technologies. Following a multi-method research approach, findings from a bibliometric literature and a standards’ gap analysis were combined with practical evidence and circulated with focus group experts to conclude with these guidelines, which are the foundation for further standardization. The outcomes provide concrete guidelines to policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders for city digital transformation to establish carbon neutrality, via emphasizing the need for digital technologies to enhance efficiency in several areas and via leveraging green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for city economic growth, while also transforming citizen behavior.

Lean 4.0 implementation framework: Proposition using a multi-method research approach

This research aims to design an implementation framework for Lean 4.0. First, we identify the synergy elements, barriers, critical success factors, and benefits of integrating Lean manufacturing (LM) practices and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. Second, we develop a Lean 4.0 framework proposal based on these results. Third, we refine and validate this framework based on lean practitioners’ participation from companies pursuing I4.0 initiatives. In last, we apply the Lean 4.0 framework in a sugar company. We perform a multi-method study employing a scoping review, a systematic literature review, one-to-one interviews, vignette cases with an expert panel, validation of the framework by practitioners, and implementation in an industrial company. We reveal 15 synergy elements based on ten I4.0 technologies and nine LM practices. Further, eight barriers, eight critical success factors, and four clusters based on 22 benefits are identified. Our findings support the proposition of a Lean 4.0 implementation framework and contribute to operations management research theory and practice. Our research addresses the gap regarding an in-depth theoretical study linking LM and I4.0 conjointly with an empirically validated artefact, aiming to integrate their best benefits synergistically. Besides that, our article uses a multi-method approach to building a system-oriented Lean 4.0 implementation framework based on General Systems Theory, containing clear guidelines for framework design and a plan-do-check-act cycle orientation.

Precision Livestock Farming Research: A Global Scientometric Review.

Precision livestock farming (PLF) utilises information technology to continuously monitor and manage livestock in real-time, which can improve individual animal health, welfare, productivity and the environmental impact of animal husbandry, contributing to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of livestock farming. PLF has emerged as a pivotal area of multidisciplinary interest. In order to clarify the knowledge evolution and hotspot replacement of PLF research, based on the relevant data from the Web of Science database from 1973 to 2023, this study analyzed the main characteristics, research cores and hot topics of PLF research via CiteSpace. The results point to a significant increase in studies on PLF, with countries having advanced livestock farming systems in Europe and America publishing frequently and collaborating closely across borders. Universities in various countries have been leading the research, with Daniel Berckmans serving as the academic leader. Research primarily focuses on animal science, veterinary science, computer science, agricultural engineering, and environmental science. Current research hotspots center around precision dairy and cattle technology, intelligent systems, and animal behavior, with deep learning, accelerometer, automatic milking systems, lameness, estrus detection, and electronic identification being the main research directions, and deep learning and machine learning represent the forefront of current research. Research hot topics mainly include social science in PLF, the environmental impact of PLF, information technology in PLF, and animal welfare in PLF. Future research in PLF should prioritize inter-institutional and inter-scholar communication and cooperation, integration of multidisciplinary and multimethod research approaches, and utilization of deep learning and machine learning. Furthermore, social science issues should be given due attention in PLF, and the integration of intelligent technologies in animal management should be strengthened, with a focus on animal welfare and the environmental impact of animal husbandry, to promote its sustainable development.

A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE VALUE CREATION OF URBAN LIVING LABS

Over the past decade, Open Innovation (OI) literature has extended its scope beyond strictly economical contexts to the context of societal value creation. This has given rise to the notion of distributed knowledge as a driver for sustainable innovation development. Over the past 15 years, the concept of Urban Living Labs (ULLs) has gained popularity to put social OI into practice. Hence, this concept is often applied in urban environments to support transition processes that try to tackle so-called wicked problems. However, a fuzzy understanding of this ULL concept still exists, due to an unclear understanding of its value creation mechanics. Therefore, this paper aims to both conceptualise and gain a better understanding of how ULLs are instrumentalised and create value. This is studied from the perspective of “ecosystem stakeholders” that participate in ULL projects. These insights are obtained through a case study with a multimethod qualitative research approach. The main data sources are a series of 20 semi-structured key-informant interviews, four focus groups, and participatory observation. The results show that the value creation for the participating stakeholders can be summarised in two main clusters: (1) the ULL as a way to build and strengthen the capacities of participating stakeholders; and (2) the ULL as a way to facilitate purpose driven fulfilment in urban transition processes.

Co-creation and Evaluation of an Adapted Physical Activity Toolkit: Guidelines To Support Practice Among Rehabilitation Professionals in Community Organizations

Background: Limited knowledge and skills of health professionals is a common barrier when adapting physical activity for people with disabilities. A community organization (Adaptavie) identified the need for improved training and resources to facilitate APA prescription by their employees. The objectives of this research were to co-create an APA toolkit and evaluate implementation. Methods: A multi-method participatory research approach was used with kinesiologists who worked at Adaptavie. The project consisted of two phases: P1) co-creation of the toolkit; P2) implementation evaluation. Sociodemographic information (P1; P2), the Work self-efficacy Inventory Survey (P1; P2), the Indicators of Success Questionnaire (P2) and focus groups (P1 n = 3; P2 n = 1) were conducted with kinesiologists. Summary statistics were described (sociodemographic and questionnaires) and analysed thematically (focus groups). Results: The co-creation of an evidence-based training toolkit contained information about 45 types of disabilities. Five to eight kinesiologists (depending on the phase) reported improvements in workplace self-efficacy, skills and knowledge after using the APA toolkit for one year. Following implementation, the APA toolkit was reported to have a high level of usability and fidelity. Conclusion: A co-created APA toolkit supported kinesiologists to prescribe evidence-based APA programs by increasing their knowledge, skills and self-efficacy.

Cultural Adaptation of the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Program from Australia to the USA

teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an evidence-based program developed in Australia that teaches young people in grades 10–12 how to identify and respond to signs of mental health challenges and crises among peers. Recognizing the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the USA, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with a Johns Hopkins University research team, used a multimethod research approach to adapt the program culturally and contextually from Australia to the USA. The goals of the study were to engage adolescents, MHFA instructors, and content area experts (N = 171) in a process to determine: how to retain the elements of the course that were evidence-based and effective while adapting the program for US students, what topics to add so US students have the essential information and skills teens needed to help a friend experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, what changes to make to curriculum materials to ensure the style and delivery resonate with US students, and what tools to include so the program is implemented safely and with fidelity in diverse US schools. This paper outlines the adaptation process, including engaging participants, identifying key recommendations for modification, and making changes to the tMHFA program. The findings demonstrate the types of adaptations that may be needed to facilitate implementation and maintenance of program effectiveness when introducing tMHFA to new populations of students in the USA. In addition, the process outlined can be replicated toward this purpose as the program continues to expand both in the USA and in other countries.

Co-creating family-inclusive leisure experiences: A study of Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house

Art and culture have demonstrated benefits for children with disabilities, yet not everyone in this population has equal access to them. Families of children with disabilities (FwD) are as eager to take part in leisure activities as other families, but they are more likely to run into constraints that make it too difficult for them to follow through. To gain more insight into this, we examine a socially dense leisure experience using customer-dominant logic, focusing on 12 FwD’s attendance at a classical music performance. We explore the social practices involved in customer-to-customer (C2C) value co-creation and the resulting value outcomes, all of which are beyond the leisure provider’s control. Adopting a multi-method qualitative research approach in collaboration with Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house, we identified three emergent invisible value factors beyond the leisure provider’s control and three hidden value outcomes.