Multi-method Case Study Approach Research Articles

Contextual influences on the role of evidence in e-cigarette recommendations: a multi-method analysis of international and national jurisdictions.

E-cigarette policy has varied across jurisdictions, contrasting with the previous coordinated approach of international tobacco control communities. A multi-method case study approach was used to understand the role of evidence and external and internal contextual factors in the development of public health recommendations across four purposively selected jurisdictions (WHO, UK, Australia and USA). Informed by Dobrow et al.'s (2004) conceptual framework for context-based evidencebased decision-making, four data sources were drawn upon: 1) 15 public health bodies' e-cigarette recommendation documents, 2) seven development documents produced by the public health bodies, 3) sources of evidence cited in the public health bodies' recommendation documents and 4) 15 qualitative interviews with experts. Thematic analysis and citation analysis were conducted to aid triangulation of evidence. We found a complex interplay between internal and external factors which influence the role and use of evidence in the development of e-cigarette recommendations. For example, recommendation documents' remit (internal factor) was influenced by various external factors such as epidemiology and policy history, with decisions made over time having reshaped the external context. Considering the findings with respect to evidence utilisation, we propose a modified version of Dobrow et al.'s (2004) framework, highlighting the important interplay between internal and external contextual factors. This research suggest internal and external contextual factors mutually interact and influence how evidence is incorporated into recommendations. This dynamic interplay of contextual factors may help explain the why different policy approaches are pursued concerning public health topics, particularly e-cigarettes.

Teen Clinic - An integrated primary healthcare model that improves access for young people in rural communities.

Young people in rural Australia have limited access to health care and are at increased risk of poor health outcomes. The Teen Clinic model was developed to increase access to health care for young people, particularly school-aged young people (12-18 years) living in small rural towns (<5000 people). To determine the extent the Teen Clinic model meets its accessibility objective and to determine the barriers and enablers to sustainable delivery of the Teen Clinic service. A multimethod case study approach was used to assess access (multidimensional framework for patient-centred access) and determine the barriers and enablers to sustainable delivery. Data collection included a survey of young people in the included rural communities and key stakeholder interviews. The survey of young people indicated Teen Clinic model was accessible across multiple dimensions. From a practice perspective, accessibility was achieved by varying from usual care to a nurse-led, young person-centred drop-in model. This required skilled nurses working at the top of their scope; however, unpredictable demand and patient complexity made accounting for the time and therefore funding somewhat complex. The Teen Clinic model meets its objective of increasing healthcare access for young rural people. Relational and cultural factors were more important facilitators of practice integration than organisational processes. A key challenge to the ongoing provision of Teen Clinic was dedicated sustainable funding. Teen Clinic is an integrated primary healthcare model that increases access for young people in small rural communities. Sustainable implementation would benefit from dedicated funding.

Polycentric structures nurturing adaptive food quality governance - Lessons learned from geographical indications in the European Union

In contrast to harmonised international food quality standards, local producers of food that is protected as geographical indication can adapt production rules. In a comparative multi-method case study approach, we analyse how constitutional and collective choice rules affect the negotiation of diverse interests and the adaptability of food quality standards in France, Italy and Austria. In France, a national organisation with a plurality of technical expertise guarantees the coherence of geographical indications based on notions of terroir and heritage. Italy's rural development approach secures very elaborated voting rules for producer groups and broader interaction on the regional level to accomplish broadly legitimated decisions. In the Austrian intellectual property rights approach, producers self-define the constitutional and collective choice rules and have the fullest autonomy and responsibility in standard setting. We conclude that polycentric interlinkages across scales and sectors – though delaying adaptation – support the long-term conservation of the products' identity via broad legitimisation. Both, the autonomy of local producers to innovatively adapt to change as well as a strong product identity are key for the long-term viability of geographical indications.

Transforming the Fan Experience through Livestreaming: A Conceptual Model

The purpose of this case study research was to explore how Queensland Rugby League (QRL) used a Facebook brand page, for the Queensland Maroons, and incorporated livestreaming throughout the 2017–2018 State of Origin seasons. Specifically, this study sought to understand managerial perspectives regarding interactive advertising within digital sports marketing strategy encompassing livestreaming and the extent to which it may impact fan engagement. This research utilized a multimethod case study approach involving a content analysis of Facebook, complemented by two semistructured interviews with the organization’s digital staff. The findings revealed livestreaming can be an engaging proposition when it provides exclusive content that allows fans to experience authentic insights into the rituals and traditions of their favorite sports team and athletes in real time. Furthermore, three unique management livestreaming experiences were identified: planning, organization, and delivery (POD). As a response, a conceptual POD model has been created that reevaluates the opportunities for fan engagement adapted from previous research findings (Haimson and Tang 2017; Naraine and Karg 2019). This model is important for sports organizations when considering livestreaming, as there may be unique opportunities to focus on interactive advertising and, thus, to develop awareness and the fan-to-fan and fan-to-athlete/sports organization/team relationship.

Embracing conflicts for interpersonal competence development in project-based sustainability courses

PurposeAdvanced skills in communication, teamwork and stakeholder engagement are widely recognized as important success factors for advancing sustainability. While project-based learning formats claim to advance such skills, there is little empirical evidence that demonstrates how interpersonal competence is being developed. This study aims to describe and explains teaching and learning processes of project-based sustainability courses that contribute to the development of interpersonal competence as one of the key competencies in sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThis study on an international project-based learning course adopted a multi-method case study approach, triangulating observations, semi-structured interviews and focus groups supported by Photovoice method through which students tracked their learning processes. Data collection and analysis followed a grounded theory approach.FindingsLearning through and from conflicts within a learning community can foster competence development in teamwork, communication and stakeholder engagement. This study identified inner and outer conflicts (within individuals versus between individuals or groups) as potential drivers of learning processes, depending on strategies applied to address these conflicts.Originality valueThe value of this study is fourfold: it demonstrates how conflicts can be leveraged for students’ competence development; it provides in-depth empirical data from multiple perspectives, it discusses the findings in the context of teaching and learning theories, and it demonstrates an application of the Photovoice method to track and improve teaching and learning processes.

Buying on rumors: how financial news flows affect the share price of Tesla

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research how corporate communication regarding a specific corporate event (i.e. Tesla’s tweets about a new product) as well as the framing of both the event itself and the market reactions therewith in the news media influence the formation of the share price of the respective company over time. In so doing, the study provides insights into the nature of market-moving information and the role of financial news flows in shaping market reactions in today’s high-frequency news and information environment.Design/methodology/approachUsing a multi-method case study approach, combining quantitative intraday event studies with a qualitative text analysis of financial online news and tweets by Elon Musk and Twitter, the authors shed light on the complex interaction between market events, financial information and stock market reactions. The analysis covers a period of four days, encompassing the announcement and introduction of the new battery pack for Model S and X by Tesla as well as the accompanying and follow-up reporting by the financial news media.FindingsFindings show that market reactions are driven by business events and expectations among the market rather than the follow-up reporting by financial news media. Financial online news instead seems to heavily rely on Elon Musk’s attention-triggering news to sustain its 24-h airtime with a variety of reporting tools, keeping the highly demanded audience engaged. Eventually, Twitter accounts of media visible companies and personalities, such as Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, have been found to be useful market information sources for day traders and shareholders to trade at a profit.Originality/valueThe study is a response to recent discussions about the legitimacy of Twitter communication by CEOs or representatives of listed companies. The findings show that Twitter communication needs to be well considered in light of strict market regulations (e.g. SEC in the USA) regarding insider-trading and the publication of market-relevant information. In addition, corporate financial communication should avoid impetuous communication via social media channels as this could have deterrent effects on the market valuation of a listed company.

Augmenting the urban place brand – On the relationship between markets and town and city centres

This paper explores (1) the interrelationship between the commercial performance of markets and town and city centres, (2) the positive and negative spill-over effects between them and (3) the implications for the understanding of the place brand and its management. It employs a network and place branding perspective and applies a multi-method case study approach utilising surveys and semi-structured interviews with stall-, store- and city centre managers in two European cities. Results reveal strong relationships between the commercial performance of the markets and the performance of the city centres. Findings confirm bi-directional positive spill-over effects between markets and city centres. Further, they reveal negative spill-over effects related to infrastructural deficiencies of the city centres and negative by-products of the increased footfall generated by the markets. This research provides insights into the role of markets as key features of urban place products and their potential in augmenting an urban place brand.

Teaching practices linked to the implementation of inquiry‐based practical work in certain science classrooms

AbstractAround the world, there have been curricula reforms involving the incorporation of the inquiry‐based teaching and learning strategy in secondary school science education in general and in practical work in particular. Research in inquiry‐based practical work (IBPW) has focused, for example, on aspects of the strategy itself, on teacher professional development, and on classroom teaching and learning based on the strategy. However, the question of the extent to which teaching practices linked to the implementation of practical work are actually inquiry‐based, was still to be answered. To draw on the answer to this question to inform professional development practice and research, we focused on the case of physical sciences classrooms in two resource‐constrained South African schools. In this regard, we used a conceptual framework based on the Interconnected Model of Teachers' Professional Growth and including a framework of teaching practices. In the data collection, we used a multimethod case study approach and to analyze the data, we combined the inductive and deductive approaches in thematic analysis. The results show that in the initiation, planning, and classroom implementation phases of practical work, many of the teaching practices of participants were inconsistent with inquiry‐based teaching and learning, although some other practices were consistent with this type of teaching and learning. At the same time, some of the consistent practices were at a rather low level of implementation. We have discussed the theory‐, practice‐, and research‐based implications of these results, in relation to the implementation of IBPW in resource‐constrained physical sciences classrooms in South Africa and internationally.

Library staff recruitment and retention for managerial positions in Vietnam

PurposeThis paper aims to conduct an exploratory research of recruitment source and professional staff retention for succession planning, as well as suggests some experiences of keeping qualified staff in Vietnamese libraries. It stems from the context of academic and public libraries in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThis research draws on transformational leadership theory initiated by Burns (1978) and expanded by Bass (1985). It was conducted through a multi-method case study approach at 13 public and 4 academic libraries in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Data collection consisted of an online survey with 162 responses and 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews.FindingsResearch result indicates that staff recruitment for managerial positions in Vietnamese libraries is mainly from within the organisation. Staff retention relies on differing factors, of which salary was considered the most important by several participants. However, succession planning itself may be a good way to keep qualified employees who would like to be promoted. For those employees attracted by high salaries rather than future managerial positions, supplemental income is believed to be a possible solution.Research limitations/implicationsA larger research coverage will be suggested to further research, so as to get further information about staff recruitment and how to retain qualified staff in Vietnamese library settings.Practical implicationsThis study aims to benefit library leaders by providing good insights into which recruitment source is suitable to look for qualified staff for managerial positions in Vietnam. Most importantly, the research would inform library leaders and the local government in the Mekong Delta of the possible reasons for staff turnover. This study also helps to raise library leaders’ awareness of how to retain their qualified professional employees within a highly dynamic environment.Originality/valueThis research contributes to literature about qualified staff recruitment and retention in an Asian country context, which has not been discussed so far. It also helps to raise awareness of library leaders about applying some practical strategies, including succession planning, into retaining managing employees in their organisations.

Preparing Future Meeting Professionals: A Case Study on Teaching Hybrid Meeting Management

ABSTRACTThrough the use of focus groups, an experiential learning exercise, and postprogram reflection surveys, a multimethod case study approach is used within the area of hospitality, specifically focusing on the management of hybrid meetings. In addition to further advancing knowledge within the meeting management industry, this research highlights the value of hybrid meeting technology and identifies a template for meeting educators to better prepare students to meetings industry managers.

Security in Climate Change Discourse: Analyzing the Divergence between US and EU Approaches to Policy

Why has Europe implemented a quite-proactive climate policy while the US has adopted a far less ambitious climate strategy? Does variation in security concerns or other factors better explain this difference in policy? Using a multimethod case study approach, the authors find that in the US, constructions of climate change as a security threat play an important role in developing public support. In Europe, leadership and opportunity discourses predominate. Other factors including centralization of governance, trust in the technocratic elite, and cultural norms contribute to the variation in policy construction.

“Who are you?” – Constructing managerial identities in post-apartheid South Africa

This study focuses on the construction of identity concepts and values, in the process of developing managerial within a selected publically owned utility in South Africa. The methodology used is a multi-method case study approach which is conducted in the phenomenological, qualitative research paradigm. The findings show that managers define themselves in terms of intra-personal and social identities which are based on strong individual and socio-cultural value foundations. Data highlight that managerial are connected to the organisational identity. Seventeen years after the end of apartheid, managerial are no longer reduced and limited to fixed racial, cultural or professional founded on historic perspectives, but are rather viewed as a dynamic cross-cultural construct of interpersonal interactions. This article provides the reader with new insights into managerial identity constructions in a multicultural public utility setting in post-apartheid South Africa.Key words: identity, South Africa, management, ethnography, interviewer-interviewee interaction, values(JEL: F54, J17, J71, O10, O55)IntroductionThe question: Who are you? has gained particular interest in management sciences and organisational studies during the past years (Sveningsson & Alvesson, 2003). Thereby, identity concepts are often interlinked with managerial and organisational values which are usually associated with particular roles, managerial belonging, identification with the organisation and its history, the cultural context, imagination of the future and the organisational identity (Mayer, 2008a). However, narrating identity is a process of intra-psychological and socio-cultural reconstruction (Lindgren & Wâhlin, 2001).The South African societal context of contemporary organisations and public utilities is highly complex and fragmented regarding global, national, local and individ- ual influences (Albert, Ashforth, & Dutton, 2000). They provide space for individual and managerial identity (re-)construction as a process of intra- and inter-psychological, as well as socio-cultural reconstruction. In the South African context, identity constructions still refer to apartheid categories, current politically correct values and attitudes towards diversity (Mayer, 2008). This specific context increases the importance of interrelated, flexible identity constructions. Managers need to make sense of the inherent complexity and ambiguities of their (Keupp 2004, 2004a) beyond race, in order to manage and conduct themselves appropriately.Extensive research has been conducted on managerial identity constructions (such as Albert et al., 2000; Mayer, 2008). The importance of studying identity and values in South African management contexts is obvious: South African society has undergone tremendous change on societal, political, economic and individual levels since 1994 (Hart, 2002). The process of double transition (Webster & Adler, 1999), referring to the global impact of change on South African society as well as to intranational transformation, has affected identities, values and management in organisations and public utilities. New approaches, therefore, are required to understand the newly emerging and value concepts in South African organisations and public utilities to address and manage them adequately (Mayer & Louw, 2011). However, identity reconstructions have hardly been researched in the South African public utility context, which has undergone tremendous change in its organisational structure and in diversity during recent years.The contribution of this paper is therefore to increase the understanding of identity and value constructions in managers in the specific work context of a South African post-apartheid public utility, and thereby add to theoretical knowledge. It explores how managers define themselves and express their identity through narrations by referring to individual and organisational values. …

Miscommunication between patients and general practitioners: implications for clinical practice

Effective communication is integral to the general practice consultation, yet it is acknowledged that problems commonly occur. Previous research has shown that misunderstandings with potentially significant consequences occur frequently, but does not provide a clear picture of how and why miscommunication occurs, or how such problems can be prevented or resolved. This study explored the occurrence and management of specific examples of miscommunication in two routine general practice consultations. A multi-method case study approach was used. The primary data collected for each case included a video-recorded consultation and post-consultation interviews with each general practitioner (GP) and patient. Instances of communication mismatch were examined using in-depth interaction analysis techniques. GPs and patients may not be aware when misunderstandings have occurred. In-depth analysis of the case studies revealed the complexity of miscommunication: it was not a straightforward matter to locate when or why instances of communication mismatch had occurred, and each of the mismatches was quite distinctive: (1) they were identified in different ways; (2) they occurred at different points in the communication process; (3) they arose because of problems occurring at different levels of the communication, and (4) they had different consequences. Given the frequency and complexity of miscommunication in general practice consultations, GPs need to consider adopting various strategies, at both the practice/systems level and the level of the consultation interaction to minimise the risk of communication problems.

Levelling the playing field? Post-Euro 2005 development of women's football in the north-west of England

This paper investigates the longer term impacts of Euro 2005 on participation and organization of women's football in a multi-method case study approach, with a focus in one of the hosting areas in the north-west of England. Using primary data from local football development officers and clubs, documentary sources and secondary data analysis, I consider in this paper whether hosting the event has contributed to any long-term legacy in participations and greater gender equity in the sport, regionally and nationally. The evidence suggests that there is still some way to go before such a claim could be made and the plans to develop a ‘Women's Superleague’ have uncertain outcomes and significant resource implications, particularly at the grass roots of the sport. The possible impacts of such major events on building participation and profile for women's sport are also considered, due to the legacy aspirations from the forthcoming Olympics in London.

An analysis of public debates over urban growth patterns in the City of London, Ontario

In much of the developed world, the direction and patterns of urban growth have been the subject of public debate. Some scholars and practitioners believe that the current urban development pattern are too outward-oriented and are concerned about its possible negative consequences. Others defend outward expansion, arguing that it fulfils consumer preferences and promotes economic growth. Despite a sizeable literature on the topic, the discussion has been hampered by a lack of knowledge about how growth is perceived by key “agents of change”, those individuals whose decisions and activities affect the direction and patterns of urban growth. Additionally, the news media often represents the urban growth debate in simplistic, oppositional terms (e.g. “pro-growth” versus “anti-growth”, “pro-business” versus “anti-environment”) with little or no regard for local factors that affect development patterns in specific situations. As described in this article, we used a multi-method case study approach to address these limitations and to better understand recent urban growth issues. The primary goal of this study is to assess multiple perceptions of urban growth and management debate in London, Ontario. As elsewhere, the issue of urban growth patterns is intensely debated in this case study. However, we argue that discussion on this topic should change from simplistic generalisations to consideration of locale-specific factors that influence urban growth patterns.

Conceptions of Language Input in Second Language Acquisition: A Case of Vietnamese EFL Teachers

Conceptions of Language Input in Second Language Acquisition: A Case of Vietnamese EFL Teachers

The impact of consumer involvement in research: an evaluation of consumer involvement in the London Primary Care Studies Programme

The value of consumer involvement in health services research is widely recognized. While there is a growing body of evidence about the principles of good consumer involvement, there is little research about the effect that involvement can have on the research. This evaluation assessed the level and impact of consumer involvement in the London Primary Care Studies Programme (LPCSP), all of whose individual projects had to demonstrate substantial involvement as a condition of funding. To evaluate consumer involvement in the LPSCP and understand what impact consumers had on the research process and outcomes. A multi-method case study approach was undertaken, using survey techniques, interviews, focus groups, observation and scrutiny of written documents. The overall data set comprised 61 questionnaires, 44 semi-structured interviews, 2 focus groups and 15 hours of observation of meetings. Eleven primary care-based research projects which together made up the LPCSP. An in-depth description of consumer involvement in the Programme was produced. Nine projects had consumers as co-applicants, four projects had been completed before the evaluation began and one was still ongoing at the time of the evaluation. Of the eight projects which have produced final reports, all met their aims and objectives. Consumers had had an additional impact in the research, in the initial design of the study, in recruitment of the research subjects, in developing data collection tools, in collecting the data, in analysis and disseminating the findings. Consumer involvement in National Health Service research is a relatively recent policy development and while there is an increasing amount of literature about how and why consumers should be involved in research, there is less evidence about the impact of such involvement. This evaluation provides evidence about the impact that consumers have not only on the research process but also on the outcomes of the research.

Promoting Environmental Health Policy Through Community Based Participatory Research: A Case Study from Harlem, New York

Community-academic partnerships have demonstrated potential for studying and improving community and environmental health, but only recently have their policy impacts been systematically studied. This case study highlights the evolution, research, and policy processes and outcomes of a community based participatory research (CBPR) partnership that has had multilevel impacts on health policy concerning diesel bus emissions and related environmental justice issues. The partnership between West Harlem Environmental ACTion, Inc. (WE ACT) and the Columbia University Center for Children's Environmental Health was explored using a multimethod case study approach. The conversion of New York City's bus fleet to clean diesel and the installation by the EPA of permanent air monitors in Harlem and other "hot spots" were among the outcomes for which the partnership's research and policy work was given substantial credit. Lessons for other urban community-academic partnerships interested in using CBPR to promote healthy public policy are discussed.

Unpacking the ‘value added’ impact of continuing professional education: a multi-method case study approach

The tangible benefits of continued professional education (CPE) continues to be widely debated within nursing. Whilst there is a plethora of literature relating to CPE, there is an absence of empirical evidence confirming the value of educational activities. Using a case study approach, this study sought to examine the relationship between undertaking a named course (Children’s Neuroscience Course) and the perceived benefits to practitioners. Nursing students who had successfully undertaken the course (n = 14) were invited to participate. Self-report evaluations (completed at induction, mid point and exit), academic performance, and data collected from a questionnaire were analyzed using non-parametric measures. In addition, semi-structured interviews (n = 9) were undertaken and analyzed using a thematic content approach. Second level analysis involved triangulating the various data sets using coding frames and three themes were identified: improved knowledge, improved care delivery and professional development, which were judged as benefits to the practitioners who had undertaken the course. Further, there was a significant relationship between undertaking the course and participant’s perception of their increased abilities in delivering care to the child with a neurological problem and their families. This paper will illustrate the benefits of a multi-method case study approach for evaluating the ‘value added’ impact of educational provision.