Qualitative Case Study Analysis Research Articles

Trends in Regional Economic Integration in the SADC and Global South: A Mixed-Method Approach

Economic integration through trade liberalisation constitutes a central objective of regional integration arrangements (RIAs) in the Global South. This seeks to foster increased economic interdependence and stimulate trade between member countries. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC), economic integration is a pillar of regional economic development, with reference to industrialisation and long-term socio-economic growth and development. Regional development policy, such as the Protocol on Trade, emphasises increased trade liberalisation to unlock the growth potential inherent to regional value chains. While a linear regional integration process, consisting of the eventual creation of an economic and monetary union, is envisioned in the SADC, the implementation of measures to further economic integration has stalled. The creation of a free trade area (FTA), earmarked for 2008, has failed, with preferential trade agreements in place. This paper aims to investigate trends in economic integration in the SADC and other developing country RIAs. Objectives include determining the extent to which trade liberalising policies have stimulated intra-regional trade growth and delineating recommendations to foster this outcome further. A mixed-method approach is utilised, which includes a qualitative case study analysis of economic integration policies in nine RIAs in the Global South and a quantitative analysis of the intra-regional merchandise trade growth (as a portion of total merchandise trade) per RIA in the sample (1995-2020). The findings indicate that while most of the RIAs have developed policies to support economic integration, there is divergence in current levels and growth of intra-regional trade. Two RIAs, including the SADC, have experienced more than 5% growth in this variable, while four experienced lower growth. Intra-regional trade declined in three RIAs. Applicable interventions include capacitating regional institutions to support relevant policy formulation and implementation, in addition to improving both physical and non-physical regional infrastructure to foster trade growth.

The Juukan Gorge destruction: a case study in stakeholder-driven and shared values approach to cultural heritage protection

PurposeIn 2020, mining activity by Rio Tinto destroyed rock caves in Western Australia's Juukan Gorge that are considered sacred sites by the First Nation Peoples of that area, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Peoples. This paper examines the public response to the damage caused at this culturally sensitive site and identifies cultural heritage protection strategies that emerged in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.Design/methodology/approachThis research applies a qualitative case study method and analysis of open-sourced official policy documents, media reports and published institutional statements.FindingsThe research identified specific cultural heritage protection strategies, including stakeholder-driven advocacy and shared values approach to business practices to help foster a greater appreciation of the connections between people, objects and lands. Whilst the mining activities were considered lawful, significant gaps in the legislation to protect heritage sites were also exposed.Originality/valueUsing a recent case that occurred in 2020, this paper unpacks how the motivations for accessing minerals can override cultural sensibilities and legal/ethical frameworks established to protect cultural heritage. This paper brings to light the liabilities associated with the mining industry when operating in a culturally significant environment where appropriate due diligence to manage cultural heritage is not thoroughly applied. The paper highlights the role the community can play in demanding improved corporate social responsibility which can, in turn, act as a strategy for cultural heritage protection.

Why are some ReSPECT conversations left incomplete? A qualitative case study analysis

BackgroundAs an emergency care and treatment planning process (ECTP), a key feature of the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) is the engagement of patients and/or their representatives in conversations about treatment options including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, qualitative research suggests that some ReSPECT conversations lead to partial or no decision-making about treatment recommendations. This paper explores why some ReSPECT conversations are left incomplete. MethodsDrawing on observation and interview data collected in four National Health Service (NHS) hospital sites in England, this paper offers an in-depth exploration of six case studies in which ReSPECT conversations were incomplete. Using thematic analysis, we triangulate fieldnote data documenting these conversations with interview data in which the doctors who conducted these conversations shared their perceptions and reflected on their decision-making processes. ResultsWe identified two themes, both focused on ‘mismatch’: (1) Mismatch between the doctor’s clinical priorities and the patient’s/family’s immediate needs; and (2) mismatch between the doctor’s conversation scripts, which included patient autonomy, the feasibility of CPR, and what medicine can and should do to prolong a patient’s life, and the patient’s/family’s understandings of these concepts. ConclusionsThis case study analysis of six ReSPECT conversations found that mismatch between doctors’ priorities and understandings and those of patients and/or their relatives led to incomplete ReSPECT conversations. Future research should explore methods to overcome these mismatches.

이혼을 경험한 여성의 개인 정체성에 영향을 미치는 부적응 요인에 관한 사례연구

This case study utilizes the narrative counseling technique to analyze maladaptive factors, or that affect the personal identity of divorced women and hinder them getting acclimated to the changes in their lives post-divorce. The purpose of this study is to utilize the observed change in one’s relationship both with others and the participant herself, analyzed with the qualitative case study analysis methods, to ultimately provide a new perspective on life for divorced women. The following case is comprised of 16 interviews with one study participant, a 49-yesr-old divorced woman. In order to comply with study ethics and ethics regulations, the researcher explained all the consent procedures to the study participant and the study participant agreed by signing the consent form. The researcher utilized the narrative counseling approach, specifically the narrative psychotherapy method, and interviewed the study participant using the following five couseling technique: externalizing conversation, unique outcome conversation, re-authoring conversation, remembering conversation, and definitional ceremony. The researcher systematized and visualized the interview procedure. This study dismantles the stigma of divorced women and helps them better accept the changes in their lives, ultimately providing them with a healthier perspective on their lives.

A Study of Evaluation Influence in Two Child Protection Programs.

Evaluation influence is a reconceptualization of evaluation use that reflects the broad and diffuse impacts an evaluation can have on social programs and policies. This way of thinking about impact provides an opportunity to investigate how and why evaluations influence social programs and policy. Twenty participants (practitioners and managers) from two child protection programs evaluated in the previous 24months were interviewed about the influence of these evaluations, which was complemented with the collection of internal documents about changes to the programs. A qualitative case study analysis of evaluation influence was conducted using the interviews and documents to investigate the influence of two evaluations at different stages in the dissemination process. The participants identified that the evaluations appeared to have significant high-level policy level influence; however, limited examples of influence on practices in the programs were identified. There was some suggestion that the evaluations had increased practitioner interest in working with and participating in program evaluations. The findings suggest the importance of developmental evaluation approaches and practitioner engagement in evaluation to improve the influence and adoption of new knowledge from the evaluation of social programs.

Refugee Movements from Turkey to the European Union after 2015 – the Assessment of Impact

Suddenly in 2015, huge number of people started to arrive in European Union applying for asylum from Middle East countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as Turkey. Turkey has become the main gateway for the people, who seek to reach European countries, originating migration crisis in the region. Indeed, the EU has been one of the main attractive destination in search of international protection, freedom, democracy and peace for them. They have forced to flee their home countries due to war, armed conflicts, political persecution and human rights violations. This dramatic level of refugee movements has brought about great challenges for European Union and its member states, which the EU had to give adequate response. Previous relevant policies hadn’t been established to manage with rapid change and wasn’t adequate in order to deal with such as great influx of refugees. While, EU started to cope with newcomers, by establishing or improving asylum policies and legal frameworks, the unprecedented level of refugee movements has brought comprehensive impact on particularly in three areas such as political, social and economic on EU since 2015. The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of refugee movements to the EU as a whole since 2015 until the present time from three different areas such as political, economic and social, by using qualitative single case study analysis.

Measuring the Impact of Sustainable Management Practices on Organizational Performance

The effects of environmentally responsible administration on business effectiveness are the focus of this analysis. Combining quantitative poll data from 200 managers across sectors with qualitative case study analysis was the methodology we settled on. The poll responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the premise that sustainable management techniques improve corporate performance was tested using inferential statistics. Case study analysis's anecdotal data added to our understanding of how sustainable management practices boost productivity in businesses. Sustainable management techniques were discovered to have a statistically substantial, favorable association with business success. Sustainable management techniques were found to have a positive effect on company success. By analyzing case studies qualitatively, we learned that sustainable management practices can boost corporate performance in a number of ways, including through increased employee involvement, strengthened partner relationships, and a more reputable brand. Our research suggests that ecological management techniques can have a major impact on business success. These results have substantial ramifications for managers and lawmakers alike, as sustainable management practices can be an effective means for businesses to boost performance and obtain an edge in the market. In order to better understand the connection between sustainable management practices and enhanced organizational performance, future studies will need to use a larger group and focus on the particular processes by which these practices work.

Transfer of ownership for social venture entrepreneurs: A case study in northern Tanzania

ABSTRACT Social Venture Entrepreneurs (SVEs) invest in supply chains with the aim to ignite businesses, but with a vision on how to transfer ownership to third parties. The present study explores the definitions and forms of ownership envisioned by local stakeholders and the extent to which these are in line with the SVEs’ way of thinking. Using qualitative case study analysis, perceptions of legal and psychological ownership are compared between local stakeholders and social venture management in the specific context of a particular SVE initiative among local Maasai communities in northern Tanzania. It is concluded that different groups of stakeholders have different definitions of ownership forms, transfer and criteria. Social Venture Entrepreneurs will need to organize their definition of ownership around a perspective shared by its stakeholders, in order to realize the mission for which such businesses were initiated within regions that these businesses operate in.

Globalizing higher education through internationalization and multiculturalism: The case of Indonesia

AbstractAs part of the efforts to globalize higher education in Indonesia, internationalization and multiculturalism are two globalization behaviors that have been promoted across higher education institutions. This study investigated both these behaviors through a qualitative case study analysis of four state universities in the country. The authors found that firstly, the autonomy of state higher education institutions played a significant role for the implementation of internationalization programs which is related not only to the flexibility in designing international programs, opening study programs, or recruiting foreign lecturers, but also to the budget amount allocations by the government. Secondly, in developing multiculturalism serious considerations on the cultural stance of the institution and the unique ideology of that institution needs to be undertaken and integrated with the national ideology. Thirdly, the role of the government in making policies and encouraging state higher education institutions to be more autonomous is essential to advance higher education in internationalization and multiculturalism.

Creating Extraordinary From Ordinary: High Resource Efficiency of Underdog Entrepreneurs and Its Mechanism.

Existing theory has not documented the potential benefits of facing the challenges of underdog entrepreneurs, who may succeed unexpectedly. This research explains why, and under what circumstances, the underdog status of entrepreneurs can promote entrepreneurial success rather than just hinder it. We predict that the underdog effect has the potential to boost entrepreneurial resource efficiency when entrepreneurs hold an incremental (vs. entity) theory, enter a low-barrier (vs. high-barrier) industry, and are in a favorable (vs. unfavorable) business environment. Study 1 provides support for the positive relationship between underdog status and resource efficiency through an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis, which is accompanied by a moderating effect of the implicit theory, industry context, and business environment. The data was obtained from two nationwide surveys. By extending a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of multiple case studies, Study 2 reveals support for a synergistic effect of the above factors. Our research results examine the assumption that perceiving underdog status is detrimental and offer meaningful insights into why and when underdog entrepreneurs have good performance in entrepreneurial resource efficiency. We provide a psychological and behavioral explanation for the underdog effect, extending the underdog effect theory to the field of entrepreneurship for the first time from the perspective of the actors. Finally, theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed by indicating the limitations of the research.

Exploring user co-regulation of public services: insights from the Grenoble water user committee

ABSTRACT The co-production of public services by users and professionals has been the subject of much discussion. By contrast, we know little about how users engage in the regulation of co-produced services, a process we call co-regulation. Relying on the concept of civil regulation, our qualitative case study analysis of the Grenoble water services reveals three activities at play in co-regulation: information processing, standard-setting and modifying behaviours. Moreover, we highlight boundary conditions for co-regulation to be effective and contribute to value co-creation, namely an active civil society and strong relationships with local decision-makers.

Power dynamics in transdisciplinary research for sustainable urban transitions

Transdisciplinary Research (TDR) fosters collaboration amongst stakeholders from different academic disciplines and sectors of society, to jointly search for solutions to complex challenges including rapid urbanization. In order to enhance collaboration and ensure reciprocity of expertize amongst stakeholders, flattening the hierarchy of power is critical for working together to develop research agendas and experiment solutions. However, context dependent research on power dynamics in TDR is still limited and yet it is one of the conditions for understanding how to optimize the value and relevance of TDR in transitions to sustainable cities. This paper sheds light on power dynamics in TDR, using a qualitative analysis of case studies in the cities of Accra (Ghana), Durban (South Africa) and Nairobi (Kenya). Learnings from the case studies suggest that researchers should not overstate expert terminologies and illuminate the controversies that stem from stark differences in their methodological domains, during interfaces with stakeholders from policy and local communities, as this can dent the societal credibility and inclusiveness of the TDR process. Secondly, it is important to seize the potential of creating joint learning platforms using micro-level solutions in informal settlements, since it empowers local community representatives to assert themselves as co-researchers with legitimate perspectives on how the research agenda can be reshaped. Local-level solutions also provide scientific and policy windows for discerning expert biases in approaches used by academics and policy-makers to presuppose what can be done about the situation of under-privileged communities, which is key in building consensus when setting the research agenda.

Turnover and Retention Strategies Among Mental Health Workers

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore retention strategies that healthcare administrators use to retain mental health workers in community mental health clinics. The study was guided by the question What strategies do HCAs use to retain their MHWs with more than 2 years of experience? Methods: A qualitative case study analysis was performed. Interviews were conducted with six healthcare administrators at Fort Worth area community mental health clinics. Interviews were coded using thematic analysis. To increase the study’s reliability and validity, the interview guide was field checked by experts and member checking performed on interview transcripts. Results: The healthcare administrators identified six strategies for retention: providing good benefits packages, promoting worker health and wellness, providing competitive salaries, giving workers flexible scheduling options, incentivizing workers with rewards and positive reinforcement, and maintaining open communication channels. Conclusions: The results from this study have positive implications for mental health workers, patients, and community mental health clinics. The strategies identified in this study can be implemented to increase worker satisfaction and reduce turnover. In doing so, patients will receive higher quality care and organizations will be more attractive to prospective employees.

Assessing knowledge creation process: A case of the National Disaster Management Agency of Gambia

The Disaster Risk Management policy and strategy of Gambia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have technical challenges and require knowledge creation to enhance capacities to lessen the adverse effect of risks and probabilities of disasters in The Gambia. Also, limited or no resources and leadership support to knowledge creation. The research aimed to assess the current condition of knowledge creation process in NDMA on socialisation-sharing experiences from tacit knowledge, externalisation-voicing tacit to explicit, combination-structuring explicit, and internalisation-expressing explicit to tacit (SECI) and role of leadership in the knowledge creation process. Detailed interviews, questionnaires, and WhatsApp call employed with four questions targeted five staff informants from NDMA and eight partner institutions with one informant from each. The research adopted a qualitative case study and content analysis to analyse the data using Voyant tools looking at the subject and concept. The research found that SECI has unearthed NDMA strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and leadership bureaucracy coupled with fear factors to build capacities leading to coup d’état for positions. Therefore, SECI has been unnoticed and uncoordinatedly implemented from “Happy Corner” with experiential knowledge and the National Platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR).

‘The circle of life’: The role of life course in understanding job quality

This article seeks to examine the role of life course in understanding job quality. It uses a qualitative case study analysis of Australian restaurants and reveals how chefs at different life stages can subjectively perceive the same objective job characteristics differently. The findings extend pre-existing knowledge by demonstrating how workers’ subjective perceptions of job quality are shaped by their life stages.

Tackling societal challenges together: Co‐creation strategies and social innovation in EU policy and funded projects

AbstractThe last decade we saw an increasing academic, policy, and professional interest in the use of co‐creation to tackle societal challenges. Most research focused on qualitative analysis of case studies. This led to an understanding that co‐creation is essential for social innovation. We started this paper by analyzing co‐creation strategies ex ante to understand how EU‐funded consortia intend to tackle societal challenges. By quantitatively analyzing 300 EU projects and qualitatively analyzing the Horizon2020 “co‐creation for growth and inclusion” call, our research revealed four different types of consortia. We characterized these types by the coordinators and dubbed them, respectively, as research led, government led, enterprise led, and other led. These consortia were quite different in terms of diversity and preferred partners. We also distinguished three distinct co‐creation strategies that are focused on inclusion of stakeholders, the outcome, or tool development. We discovered that these strategies are not linked to types of consortia or projects, but only to the call text. We therefore conclude that the policy design of Horizon2020 led to a program that aims to stimulate innovation, but has become too rigid to be able to do so.

Scanning for Cultural Competency in Online Urban Planning Programs

This article investigates online urban planning degree programs. The Covid-19 pandemic forced urban planning programs to pivot to online delivery instantly. However, there is little preexisting knowledge on online learning in place-making fields of study both in the literature and in practice. Meanwhile, working and learning from home is expected to continue as part of urban planning education and practice. The key tension of teaching urban planning online, as a traditional place-dependent field, is the starting point for our inquiry in this article. To understand the state of online urban planning programs, an internet search was conducted. A database of 176 higher education programs was created that identified only eight online programs including degree-granting and certificate programs in urban planning. These urban planning program results were concentrated in the western United States. Key challenges in online learning were identified through a literature review, including pedagogical efforts in skill transfer and multiculturalism. The eight-program curriculum strategies were analyzed through a qualitative case study analysis. A discussion on the tactics during the transition from in-person to online education in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at California State Polytechnic University Pomona is also presented. This article provides online urban planning program information for educators currently teaching online and for those interested in creating an online program. Online programs in place-specific fields such as urban planning have particular challenges in understanding communities without site visits, ethnography, or robust in-person community engagement. Online urban planning programs must make additional efforts to achieve a social, collaborative learning and practice environment.

Technological capabilities development model in Chinese energy service companies

This paper investigates the energy service companies (ESCOs) in China from the perspective of technological capability (TC) development. The conventional capability development model of manufacturing in emerging economies has been adapted to examine the four dimensions of TC (investment, production, linkage and innovation) through a qualitative analysis of multiple case studies. Small and medium-sized private ESCOs can perform well based on investment and production capabilities to develop energy management software competence. Large state-owned ESCOs can develop more advanced linkage and innovation capabilities and serve large-scale businesses with more specialist services. For small and medium-sized ESCOs, competitiveness, customers and related business strategy are the primary drivers of TC development. These drivers are essential for large ESCOs, but government support and pressure are also important. The framework developed can be used to research ESCOs and other service providers in other developing countries.

Social Re-Evaluation Model: A Mechanism for Evaluating the Social Capital of at-Risk Adolescents in an ultra-Orthodox Collective Society

This study explores socio-cultural mechanisms in a religious collective society, Israeli Ultra-Orthodox (UO) Judaism, and describes how these mechanisms create unique risk situations for adolescents. Four risk factors contribute to a high dropout rate among Israeli UO youth: strict expectations according to gender norms, social exclusion, social surveillance, and secretiveness. The present research involved a qualitative analysis of multiple case studies of marginalized youth derived from data collected through structured interviews of 44 at-risk youth and 23 adult informants from various UO communities. Data analysis was based on grounded-theory methods and ethnographic and phenomenological content analysis. Findings showed that at-risk UO adolescents react to social reevaluation of both their personal and family’s social capital. When individuals or families are reevaluated by their community following an attempt to move between social fields or when a change in personal circumstances exposes a family problem, Social Reevaluation (SR) operates. The SR model provides a theoretical explanation for understanding why and how the social practices of UO youth at-risk may lead to changes in their behaviors. This novel approach illuminates the complexities of risk among adolescents in religious collective societies.

Social media as a medium for preventing radicalization (A case study of an Indonesian youth community’s counter-radicalization initiatives on Instagram)

This paper explores how an Indonesian national youth community uses social media as a radicalization prevention medium. In this paper, the Indonesian youth community’s applied online interventions are explored and evaluated through a mixed-method approach, using a qualitative case study and visual content analysis. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed visual content outputs, focusing on the social media strategy enacted to create counter-radicalization narratives, and measuring social media engagement rates as a means of evaluating that strategy. This paper extends existing counter-radicalization studies by adding insights on how youth community-based social media initiatives could contribute as a non-coercive approach in combating radicalization.