Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach Research Articles

Does Health Consciousness Matter to Adopt New Technology? An Integrated Model of UTAUT2 With SEM-fsQCA Approach.

Every emerging technology has its pros and cons; health-conscious users pay more importance to healthy and environment-friendly technologies. Based on the UTAUT2 model, we proposed a comprehensive novel model to study the factors influencing consumers’ decision-making to adopt the technology. Compared to prior studies that focused on linear models to investigate consumers’ technology adoption intentions and use behavior. This study used a Structural Equation Modeling-fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (SEM-fsQCA) approach to account for the complexity of customers’ decision-making processes in adopting new technology. We collected valid responses from 830 consumers, analyzed them, and evaluated them using a deep learning SEM-fsQCA technique to capture symmetric and asymmetric relations between variables. We have extensively incorporated a health-consciousness attitude as a predictor and mediator to understand better the decision-making toward technology adoption, specifically 5G technology. All the factors tested in our model are statistically significant except the economic factors. Health-consciousness attitude (HCA) and behavioral intention (BI) found significant predictors and valid mediators in the process of 5G technology adoption. FsQCA provided six configurations to achieve high 5G adoption. The findings have significant practical ramifications for telecom corporations, advertisers, government officials, and key policymakers. Additionally, the study added substantial theoretical literature to technology adoption, particularly the adoption of 5G technology.

A qualitative assessment of QCA: method stretching in large-N studies and temporality

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a descriptive research method that can provide causal explanations for an outcome of interest. Despite extensive quantitative assessments of the method, my objective is to contribute to the scholarly discussion with insights constructed through a qualitative lens. Researchers using the QCA approach have less ability to incorporate and nuance information on set membership as the number of cases grows. While recognizing the suggested ways to overcome such challenges, I argue that since setting criteria for membership, calibrating, and categorizing are crucial QCA aspects that require in-depth knowledge, QCA is unfit for larger-N studies. Additionally, I also discuss that while the method is able to identify various parts of a causal configuration—the ‘what’—it falls short to shed light on the ‘how’ and ‘why,’ especially when temporality matters. Researchers can complement it with other methods, such as process tracing and case studies, to fill in these missing explanatory pieces or clarify contradictions—which begs the question of why they would also choose to use QCA.

Promotion Pathways of Financial Performance: A Configuration Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Based on a Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach

To explore the mechanism of multiple conjunctural causation underlying differences in financial performance, this study selects 39 Chinese companies from the Fortune Global 500 as samples and applies configurational thinking and the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach to integrate five variable conditions concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR). The results show that 3 path configurations achieve high financial performance. Specifically, the first configuration includes highly responsible governance, superior employee rights and interests, and effective environmental protection. The second configuration includes highly responsible governance, superior employee rights, and active public charity. The third configuration includes highly responsible governance, active public charity, and effective environmental protection. The four dimensions involved in the above three path configurations have alternative effects in interpreting financial performance. When the level of responsible governance ability is high, as long as any two conditions among employee rights and interests, environmental protection and public charity also attain a high level, this situation can drive the corporation to achieve high financial performance. Based on the conclusions of this paper, management implications from the perspectives of firms are also proposed.

To do or not to do? Technological and social factors affecting vaccine coverage

• A configurational analysis of technological-social factors affecting vaccine coverage is proposed. • High individuals’ functional literacy is associated with country-level coverage above 95%. • Country-level positive attitude toward science is associated with coverage above 95%. • The above conditions should be associated with low social media penetration to reach 95% coverage. This paper investigates the role of crucial technological and social factors in enhancing or undermining vaccine coverage rates at the country level worldwide. Employing five country-level databases, it explores how different combinations of technology diffusion (that is, social media penetration) and social conditions (functional literacy and attitude toward science) affect the level of vaccine coverage. The analyses are based on two built ad-hoc longitudinal datasets of 36 and 40 countries worldwide, employing a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs-QCA) approach. The findings highlight that, at the country level, the absence of high social media penetration, combined with an above-average level of functional literacy and positive attitude toward science, enable vaccine coverage to reach the level recommended by health institutions and authorities.

The Effects of Institution-Driven Entrepreneurial Education in Chinese Universities: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the effects of entrepreneurship education by examining the influences of the curriculum system, teaching team, design of practical programs, and the institutional systems on universities’ entrepreneurial education performance.Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper employs a case-based approach—Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Data were collected from 12 universities that were typical cases in the implementation of entrepreneurial education. The four dimensions of entrepreneurship education are applied as conditional indicators. fsQCA3.0 software is used to analyze the necessary conditions and condition combination of the truth table.Findings: There are three sets of condition combinations of the intermediate solution that results in a high level of entrepreneurial education performance: (1) when the credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses is higher and there are more practical platform platforms, even if the entrepreneurship education system and mechanism is less mature, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is high; (2) with a higher credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses, higher quality of teaching teams, and higher standard of practical platforms, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is high; (3) with a higher level of credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses and more practical platforms, as well as mature entrepreneurship education system and mechanism, even if the quality of the teaching team is lower, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is satisfied.Research Limitations/Implications: The dimensions of entrepreneurship education can be expanded; additionally, given that there are many other factors affecting entrepreneurial performance, it is necessary to identify and integrate other possible factors on an ongoing basis.Practical Implications: This study offers practical implications for universities and policy makers that can promote the transformation of theoretical knowledge into practice in the field of entrepreneurship in colleges and universities.Social Implications: This study is one of the first to empirically examine the effect of institutional-driven entrepreneurship education in developing countries. The enhancement of entrepreneurship education can benefit the development of individuals and schools, and even has a potential impact on the progress of the country and society as a whole.Originality/Value: This study emphasizes the significance of viewing the entrepreneurial education as a multi-dimensional concept by targeting different kinds of players. Furthermore, it employs a case-based approach to identify configurations of the antecedent attributes of the curriculum system, teaching team, design of practical programs, and the institutional systems, and their influence on universities’ entrepreneurial education performance.

The Role of Machine Learning in Digital Marketing

Artificial Intelligence has been under researched. Machines with deep learning abilities can take digital marketing to new heights with their Artificial Intelligence making all the difference. This research aims to identify the outcomes from the study of Indian customer’s responses across varying demographics to machines and their abilities to sell, which will well be the future of digital marketing. We find that software developers need to build the architecture is partnership with digital marketers who use machines with deep learning by taking attitude of the customers, behavior and choices into consideration. This will unlock huge benefits to the companies as accurate information about customers will be easily available to the marketers in future. How the machines are going to perform under various conditions are explained using a causal model using regression models. SPSS version 24 and R software were used for analysing the data and data regarding the customer’s behaviors, their choices and emotions are collected and based on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach how they can be influenced to use the services of the machine, fsQCA is used to compare case oriented and variable oriented quantitative analysis.

THE RITES OF PASSAGE: IMPREGNABLE BEHAVIOURAL EPIGENETICS IN STRENGTHENING PERSONAL HEALTHINESS, SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

Behavioural epigenetics is defined as the study of how epigenetic alterations induced by experience and environmental stress may affect animal (human) behaviour, which describes the epigenetic alterations caused by environmental enrichments. Environmental enrichment generally relates to the provision of environmental stimuli that promotes the expression of species-appropriate behaviour and mental activities. Until today, there is no conclusive determination on what kind of experience and environmental stress that affect human behaviour, and what kind of environmental enrichments facticity that induces epigenetic alterations. Vast definition of environmental and experience stress forces us to observe more complex yet substantial in nature in addition to biological processes, that is culture. We specifically determine a well-known cultural behaviour having been consistently conducted generation after generation by almost all cultural communities the world over: the rites of passage. By using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach, we shall determine the purpose and enactment of the rites generally, and compare them to the case-study research in genetic phenomena. The aim of this paper is to find the interwoven connection of the rites of passage to genetic events as to how such rites may induce epigenetic alterations influencing behavioural epigenetics hence affording to strengthen individual healthiness, spiritual and cultural values. We may propose that the rites of passage are necessarily beyond spiritual practises, yet more to healthiness especially that related to the harmonization of individual’s genetic and epigenetic processes toward environment. Succinctly, using intersection study between social and life sciences, we expect to result in more comprehensive understanding about the subject matter observed.

How do non-innovative firms start innovation and build legitimacy? The case of professional service firms

As clients’ needs change, firms need to adapt and innovate, but how do firms innovate if they have not done it before? We study law firms as novice innovators. Law firms are generally conservative and averse to exploration-based innovation. We show that law firms face two challenges in starting innovation: developing innovation capacity and gaining legitimacy for innovative behavior. Employing a qualitative comparative analysis approach, we used 50 in-depth interviews with innovating multinational law firms headquartered in the United Kingdom to present six configurations of factors leading to service innovation in law firms. Clients and competitors play a key role both as innovation stimuli and legitimizing actors. We demonstrate that knowledge-based networks are important for service innovation, but legitimizing strategies are important for novice innovators to ensure innovation is recognized, approved, and diffused.

51 Flavors: Regional Resource Configurations and Foreign Multinational Market Entry in the U.S. Biopharmaceutical Industry

Creating a sustainable regional economy requires not only attracting new local ventures, but also foreign multinationals. In this regard, understanding which resources are influential in market entry decisions is crucial given that there are different resource needs between developed (DMNE) and emerging market (EMNE) multinationals. Answering calls for more neo-configurational studies in the literature, our study uses a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to examine foreign multinational entry decisions in 51 regions of the U.S. We constructed a novel dataset comprised of 3287 foreign firms from 61 countries and territories operating in the biopharmaceutical industry. We find that there are substantial differences in the configuration of resources that attract DMNEs and EMNEs to regions. The resource configurations in our models account for over 80% of the factors influencing DMNE and EMNE market entry location decisions. Some resources played a more important role in these decisions, such as FDI stocks, cluster size, and manufacturing intensity. Our findings show that EMNEs seek out regions with a greater abundance of different resources than DMNEs. This study provides practical implications for firms entering foreign markets as well as for policy makers who want to attract these firms to bolster their regional economic development.

How to design regional characteristics to improve green economic efficiency: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach.

Developing green economy has become the focus of governments, scholars, and entrepreneurs all over the world; however, the realization path of green economic efficiency for the regions under the interaction of multiple factors has still been uncertain. This study takes 30 provincial-level regions in China as the empirical object and applies a new method of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to explore the configuration of conditions for achieving green economic efficiency, which effectively improves the link between theory and practice. This study reveals that the improvement of green economy efficiency is the result of the joint action of multiple factors, and one factor in isolation is not enough for explaining it. Besides, there exist three equivalent paths to achieve high green economic efficiency; therefore, regions can design the most appropriate promotion strategy according to the determined paths. The result shows that high marketization is the core condition for achieving high green economy efficiency. Among the three paths, the combination of environmental regulation, urbanization, marketization, and technological innovation has the highest unique coverage, which alone explains how most regions have achieved high green economic efficiency. Third, four paths for achieving low green economy efficiency have been identified in this study, which provides lessons for regional governments to avoid the decline in green economy efficiency. And specially, the combination of high urbanization, high environment regulation, and high technological innovation can lead to low green economy efficiency because of low marketization. The conclusion improves the theory of green development and provides a practical reference for the regional government to develop green economy.

Evaluating spiritual leadership coherence at a professional services company

Based on the theory of entrainment - a process of synchronizing rhythms over time - it is suggested that applying the coherence model of spiritual leadership across an organization can positively influence organizational outcomes. This study evaluates the conditions for such entrainment at a professional services company at the individual and group level. It uses an explanatory sequential research design as mixed methods approach, integrating quantitative data from eighty-six participants across fourteen teams with qualitative data from five team leaders. The quantitative data are analyzed using techniques stemming from a qualitative comparative analysis approach. The findings support that inner life and coherent interaction can be usefully deployed in a consistent way to understand the emergence of spiritual well-being through entrainment. In addition, it further supports that developing personal spiritual leadership directly influences the level of spirtual leadership of the group to which the individual belongs. Finally, better performing teams pay more attention to inner life practices, while taking care of and believing in their team members.

Α fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach for the evaluation of corporate viability

Α fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach for the evaluation of corporate viability

How the Brand–Endorser Origin Shapes Brand Attitudes and Purchase Intentions

This study examined the combinative effects of dynamic cultural mindsets—ethnocentrism and xenocentrism—on the brand and endorser origin contingencies on eliciting favorable attitudes toward the advertisement. Anchored on configurational theory, the study used the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach to identify sufficient conditions between and among the two cultural mindsets, brand–endorser origins (local versus foreign), respondent age, and gender that result in highly favorable attitudes. A sample of 891 respondents participated in an online experimental survey. Findings indicate six configurations of the factors that explain favorable attitudes toward the advertisement. The results and emerging approach provide insights on potential configurational treatment of advertising appeals that elicit favorability toward the advertising material in both local and international marketing scenarios.

In-app advertising: a two-step qualitative comparative analysis to explain clicking behavior

Purpose Individuals only click on a very small fraction of the in-app advertisements (ads) they are exposed to. Despite this fact, organizations spend generously placing in-app ads without theoretical knowledge of how the structure and the semantics of in-app ads influence individuals’ clicking behavior. This study aims to identify how the processing of structural and semantic factors leads to clicking behavior. Design/methodology/approach Based on the limited capacity theory, this paper proposes that the sequential processing of structural and semantic factors leads to clicking behavior. To mirror the sequential process, this paper applies a process-oriented configurational approach and performs a two-step qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) using 262 incidents of exposure to in-app ads. Findings The results support the proposed sequential processing and show that neither structural nor semantic factors alone lead to clicking behavior. This paper reveals four different paths of sequential processing of in-app ads that lead to clicking behavior. The results show that individuals click on non-animated in-app ads even though these are perceived as irritating or privacy-concerning. When the in-app ads are animated, individuals do only click on them when these are not irritating, privacy-concerning and personalized. Research limitations/implications Organizations can use these findings to improve their in-app ads and generate more clicks. This study recommends that organizations place in-app ads in a prominent location, design them similar to the design of the app and use bright colors. The advertising message needs to have new and relevant information in a credible and entertaining way. Depending on the degree of personalization, organizations should use different sizes of the in-app ad and only use animation if it is unlikely that the in-app ad caused irritation or privacy concerns. Practical implications Organizations can use these findings to improve their in-app ads and generate more clicks. This paper recommends that organizations place in-app ads in a prominent location, design them similar to the design of the app and with bright colors. The advertising message needs to have new and relevant information in a credible and entertaining way. Depending on the degree of personalization, organizations should use different sizes of the in-app ad and only use animation if it is unlikely that the in-app ad caused irritation or privacy concerns. Originality/value From the in-app ad perspective, this study is the first to theoretically develop and empirically show the sequential processing of structural and semantic factors of in-app ads. From the methodological perspective, this study applies an advanced configurational two-step QCA approach, which is capable of analyzing sequential processes and is new to marketing research.

Why do consumers choose to buy electric vehicles? A paired data analysis of purchase intention configurations

Understanding the driving factors associated with electric vehicle (EV) purchases is a prerequisite for governments and firms to develop corresponding policy interventions and marketing strategies. However, prior studies primarily focus on the individual role of psychological and policy attributes, and there has been limited research on how the combinations or configurations of psychological and policy attributes jointly influence consumers’ EV purchase intentions. To fill this gap, we draw on the configurational theory to develop a research framework by integrating three psychological attributes (i.e., attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) and four policy attributes (i.e., purchase subsidies, license plate control, preferential usage, and preferential driving). We build a paired dataset with both qualitative and quantitative data. Using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach, the empirical results from China reveal that configurations of attributes that lead to high EV purchase intention always include at least one psychological attribute. In contrast, even if a government has implemented purchase subsidies, the joint absences of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control lead to low EV purchase intention. We also provide interesting insights into different sociodemographic characteristics. We contribute to EV adoption literature by revealing the configurations of attributes associated with EV purchase intention from a new theoretical perspective. Our findings assist policymakers in developing potential alternatives when faced with policy adjustment.

A qualitative comparative analysis of tourism and gender equality in emerging economies

The impact of tourism on gender equality at the national level remains unclear. This study conducts a comparative analysis of tourism and gender equality in emerging economies, using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach. The results demonstrate that tourism is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for gender equality. On the contrary, the combination of tourism and the economy, education and employment significantly affects gender equality. This study also summarizes four driving modes of gender equality: education-driven mode, economy-driven mode, tourism-employment-driven mode, and economy-employment-driven mode. Moreover, there is no significant temporal change in the four modes. We suggest recognizing the role of tourism in gender equality beyond tourism and focusing more on female education in tourism and the broader economy. This study considerably contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of tourism and gender equality from the perspective of method and content.

Combined Effect of Regulatory Strategies on Student Engagement: Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach

Combined Effect of Regulatory Strategies on Student Engagement: Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach

Understanding the Impact of Enterprise Architecture Driven Dynamic Capabilities on Agility: A Variance and fsQCA Study

Abstract Background: As the modern business environment is highly volatile and demanding, orchestrating all business and IT components and capabilities is crucial. Firms use enterprise architecture (EA) for this purpose. However, it is currently by no means clear how EA-driven firm capabilities facilitate becoming agile. When firms are agile, they can recombine digital resources to change the business practice while coping with uncertainty and recovering rapidly from disruption through innovative digital technologies. Method: This study embraces the dynamic capability view, develops a model, and validates the associated hypotheses using cross-sectional data from 176 firms using a Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and a Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach. Results: The outcomes show that EA-driven dynamic capabilities are a crucial antecedent of digital project benefits. In turn, these benefits positively enhance agility. The study also embraces a complementary configuration perspective in unfolding various capability configurations that explain high levels of distinct digital project benefits. Conclusion: Hence, this study’s outcomes support the theorized model, and both the PLS and configurational outcomes shed light on how to become digitally agile in practice.

The Role of Machine Learning in Digital Marketing

Artificial Intelligence has been under-researched. Machines with deep learning abilities can take digital marketing to new heights with their Artificial Intelligence making all the difference. This research aims to identify the outcomes from the study of Indian customers’ responses across varying demographics to machines and their abilities to sell, which will well be the future of digital marketing. We find that software developers need to build the architecture in a partnership with digital marketers who use machines with deep learning by taking an attitude of the customers, behavior, and choices into consideration. This will unlock huge benefits to the companies as accurate information about customers will be easily available to marketers in the future. How the machines are going to perform under various conditions are explained using a causal model using regression models. SPSS version 24 and R software were used for analyzing the data and data regarding the customer’s behaviors, their choices and emotions are collected and based on fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach how they can be influenced to use the services of the machine, fsQCA is used to compare case-oriented and variable oriented quantitative analysis.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE LEVEL AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AMONG WINERY FIRMS IN THE WINE INDUSTRY CLUSTER OF BAJA CALIFORNIA: A FSQCA APPROACH

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes how wineries in the wine industry cluster of Baja California in Mexico achieve a high-performance level and engage in technology management. The study uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach to inquire into the necessary and sufficient conditions for firms in this industry cluster to attain a high-performance level. Our research hypothesis suggests that the presence of some resources (conditions) in the wine industry cluster of Baja California is a necessary and sufficient condition (set-theoretic relations) to achieve a high-performance level (outcome). Accordingly, this study examines the causal complexity observed in set-theoretic relations and high-performance levels in the wine industry cluster of Baja California. An important finding in this research is that winery firms in Baja California do not need to develop interdependent innovations to achieve a high-performance level. However, research and development efforts, good supplier relations, and production capacity are necessary conditions to achieve a high performance level in this cluster.