Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach Research Articles

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.

Lead investors and information disclosure: A test of signaling theory by fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis approach

This article aims to examine the complexity of lead investor's signaling by information disclosure in equity crowdfunding. We use 40 samples from a Chinese equity crowdfunding source to explore why lead investor influences followers' decision making and how lead investor signals effectively by using fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach. Our findings enrich the literature on the lead investors and syndicate by testing the complexity of signaling in equity crowdfunding, shed new light on investigating the decision‐making model of individuals at a disadvantage of information asymmetry, and offer insights into signaling strategically online.

Configurational differences of national innovation capability: a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis approach

ABSTRACT Building on the national innovation system perspective, this study proposes an improved framework including five dimensions: institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business sophistication. Based on the Global Innovation Index report, we use a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis approach (fsQCA) to determine the configurational differences of high innovation performance between countries with different income levels (high income, upper-middle income and lower-middle income). The results show that a same core configuration of conditions exist between high income and upper-middle income countries. These conditions are a good institutional environment, a high level of human capital research, supporting infrastructure and a mature business environment, which can drive high and upper-middle income countries to achieve high innovation performance. However, in lower-middle income countries, there are three configurations of conditions that are completely different from that of the high income and upper-middle income groups. These results suggest that the policies for improving national innovation levels need to be different for each income group. The significance of the results for theory and practice is also discussed.

Utilizing Multimodal Data Through fsQCA to Explain Engagement in Adaptive Learning

Investigating and explaining the patterns of learners' engagement in adaptive learning conditions is a core issue towards improving the quality of personalized learning services. This article collects learner data from multiple sources during an adaptive learning activity, and employs a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to shed light to learners' engagement patterns, with respect to their learning performance. Specifically, this article measures and codes learners' engagement by fusing and compiling clickstreams (e.g., response time), physiological data (e.g., eye-tracking, electroencephalography, electrodermal activity), and survey data (e.g., goal-orientation) to determine what configurations of those data explain when learners can attain high or medium/low learning performance. For the evaluation of the approach, an empirical study with 32 undergraduates was conducted. The analysis revealed six configurations that explain learners' high performance and three that explain learners' medium/low performance, driven by engagement measures coming from the multimodal data. Since fsQCA explains the outcome of interest itself, rather than its variance, these findings advance our understanding on the combined effect of the multiple indicators of engagement on learners' performance. Limitations and potential implications of the findings are also discussed.

Internal Diversity in German Corporate Governance: A QCA Analysis

We investigate the set of conditions leading to major employee turnover in the governance of large listed German companies further to labour market liberalization for non-standard employment. Using the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) approach, we illustrate that substantial employee turnover in the core manufacturing sector occurs under the restrictive context of high debt as a necessary condition. In the non-manufacturing sectors, in contrast, downsizing programmes take place under a set of permissive, and alternative, combinations of sufficient conditions driven by shareholder value maximisation objectives: the presence of ownership diffusion in the ownership structure of companies, the importance of highly financialized investors (hedge funds/private equity), or the presence of CEOs with an educational background in law and/or business management. We provide important insights for understanding patterns of change in corporate governance by integrating the QCA approach with theoretical perspectives stressing the characteristics of actors’ identities in combination with their external business environments. The diffusion of new practices in contested contexts will be characterised by the presence of necessary, and restrictive, conditions whilst more favourable contexts will be associated with the presence of non-competing (i.e. alternative) sets of sufficient conditions.

Absorptive Capacity, External Knowledge Search, and Radical Innovation: A fsQCA Analysis

Radical innovation requires firms’ ability to utilize external knowledge in the innovation process. Taking a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach, this study explores the relationship between a firm’s absorptive capacity, external knowledge search strategies, and radical innovation from a holistic perspective. The results verified the complex complementarities between external knowledge search and absorptive capacity in affecting radical innovation and indicated a number of different configurational paths for high radical innovations. This study extends the theoretical framework of absorptive capacity, resolves competing findings in external knowledge search literature, and provides different pathways to high radical innovations.

Logistics service quality and customer satisfaction in B2B relationships: a qualitative comparative analysis approach

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the logistics service quality (LSQ) from a supply chain quality perspective. The purpose is twofold: (1) to investigate how business customers perceive the LSQ dimensions in business-to-business (B2B) relationships, with a particular focus on the role of logistics service providers and (2) to analyse the manner in which such dimensions, when combined, lead to high levels of customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachData collected through a survey of a sample of Italian food companies are analysed using a qualitative comparative analysis approach. The analysis explores ways of achieving customer satisfaction through different combinations of LSQ dimensions and not only via a “single recipe,” as in most symmetrical methods.FindingsThe study describes how seven dimensions of LSQ lead to achieve customer satisfaction, particularly highlighting and discussing how the different LSQ constructs lead to gain high customer satisfaction via different configurations. This approach is unique in identifying not only linear relationships among variables as traditional statistical methods do, via a configurational approach.Research limitations/implicationsMost academic studies in the related literature investigate service quality from a quality management and a supply chain management perspective. This study fills the existing gap in the analysis of B2B relationships, focusing on the role of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers.Practical implicationsThe study presents useful implications for practitioners, describing several ways in which 3PL service providers can combine LSQ dimensions to perform a continuous improvement of customer experience and to gain higher levels of customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study fills the existing gap in the analysis of B2B relationships, using the lens of quality management and supply chain management perspectives, and focusing on the role of 3PL service providers.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: The platform feature, self-concept congruence and brand experience: A fuzzy set-based qualitative comparative analysis based on WeChat

In recent times, an ever-increasing number of companies choose to advertise on WeChat Moments, but in practice, user brand experience with respect to advertisements has been less than ideal. Meanwhile, few empirical research into brand experiences of WeChat Moments ads has come to light. In order to solve practical problems and address gaps in theory, we adopt a fuzzy set-based qualitative comparative analysis approach to investigate the combination of WeChat platform features (perceived precision, perceived interactivity, and perceived intrusiveness) and self-concept congruence (individual and social) from the perspective of set theory. This study identifies combinations of conditions that serve to create a highly positive brand experience; validates the complementary, substitute, and suppressing relations of these conditions; deeply explores the most suitable combinations with reference to disparate advertising purposes; and makes advertising strategy recommendations for companies striving to ensure excellent brand experience. Our study thus enriches and further develops current brand experience theory, and expands the application of a qualitative comparative analysis method in journalism and communication, as well as advertising fields. We also provide suggestions relating to best practice for companies who advertise on WeChat Moments.

Configurational paths to regional innovation performance: the interplay of innovation elements based on a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach

ABSTRACT This paper explores the effect of regional innovation elements on innovation performance from the perspective of configurations. Based on the theory of innovation value chain, this paper divides the innovation process into two stages – technology development and technology commercialisation and proposes the realisation process model of regional innovation performance. Using the statistical data of province-level innovation systems in China, this study adopts a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to explore which combination of innovation elements can achieve high regional innovation performance and determines the difference between the stage of technology development and technology commercialisation. Results of the study can help regional policymakers to determine the most appropriate path to achieve high innovation performance according to the existing innovation elements in the regions.

Exploring Environmental and Entrepreneurial Antecedents of Social Performance in Spanish Sports Clubs: A Symmetric and Asymmetric Approach

The social function of non-profit sports clubs is undeniable, so analyzing the factors that influence their performance is vital. The aim of this study is to understand the influence of entrepreneurial factors (entrepreneurial orientation) and environmental factors (dynamism, hostility and complexity) on social performance using a symmetrical (Hierarchical regression model) and asymmetrical (qualitative comparative analysis) approach. The social performance of this particular type of organization is of great importance in an environment where sustainability from a social point of view is increasingly on the agenda of governments, organizations and society in general. A total of 209 Spanish non-profit sports clubs were analyzed. The use of two complementary methodologies has made it possible to highlight the direct positive influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on performance in terms of social impact performance (SIP) and social causes performance (SCP). Similarly, complexity and dynamism have a direct influence on both types of performance, while high levels of hostility in the environment are related to low levels of social performance in both areas. The analysis of the interaction of environmental factors and sport entrepreneurship on social performance in sports clubs has not been previously addressed. Therefore, this study provides new information to elaborate on practical management implications for directors and managers of non-profit sport clubs.

Does institutional quality affect the level of entrepreneurial success differently across the entrepreneurship distribution?

The phenomenon of entrepreneurship has driven much of the attention of academics, practitioners and policy makers. A correct and deep understanding of all the different conditions affecting entrepreneurship rates will advance in the establishment of useful measures that increase entrepreneurial success. The vast majority of the literature on the effect of institutional quality on entrepreneurship has been investigated based on average effects. However, how the impact of institutional quality on the level of entrepreneurship varies with the conditional distribution of entrepreneurship is still poorly understood. The present study attempts to fill the research gaps in this field. In order to examine the impact of institutional quality on entrepreneurship at different entrepreneurship levels, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis approach is employed. Results show that entrepreneurial success is determined by the combination of the following conditions of institutional quality: voice accountability, political stability, regulatory quality and rule of law. Implications and future research directions are discussed. It would be interesting to analyze in future studies the motivation to become an entrepreneur, both theoretically and empirically, differentiating between opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship.

Asian women’s paths to office: a qualitative comparative analysis approach

ABSTRACTThis paper evaluates existing theories regarding women’s participation in top government positions by applying these theories to Asia through a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). Thus, this paper aims to identify the conditions necessary and/or sufficient for women to break the political glass ceiling in Asia. Overall, the results show that political parties in democratic or hybrid regimes support different types of female candidates depending on the party’s ideology and political scenario. More specifically, there are three alternative pathways for a party to be successful when selecting a female candidate in Asia. Conditions that were previously necessary in the region, such as family ties to political dynasties or contexts of instability or transition, are no longer necessary. New opportunities in specific socio-political contexts are arising for women who aim to reach the highest office in the country but do not belong to political dynasties.

Still hold aloft the banner of social change? Nonprofit advocacy in the wave of commercialization

Nonprofit organizations worldwide are increasingly seeking commercial means of financing. Would commercialization compromise the civic functions of nonprofit organizations, especially their policy advocacy efforts for social change? In this article, we address this profound concern by examining policy advocacy by commercialized nonprofits in Singapore. Applying a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach in theory building, this study identifies multiple causal configurations of organizational and environmental conditions under which nonprofit organizations can still maintain a high level of advocacy activities in the wave of commercialization. The configurational theory that this study develops sheds new light on our understanding of the causal complexity underlying nonprofit advocacy and informs decision-making on how to uphold nonprofit civic functions in the commercializing context.

Using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis for evaluating the effectiveness of relationship marketing and innovation in 3D printing medical market

This study aims to explore the configurations of potential relevant antecedents in 3D printing medical Market for achieving high user satisfaction from both the suppliers’ and users’ perspectives. The important antecedents in this study include relationship marketing, innovation, 3D printing perceived values, and 3D printing perceived risk. Firstly, this study investigates the relationships among potential relevant antecedents and user satisfaction. Furthermore, to explore the gap between users’ evaluation and innovation suppliers’ perception, this study addresses this issue based on both perspectives of suppliers and buyers. To assess the applicability of the proposed model, we employed questionnaires survey and collected primary data from 3D printing suppliers and their customers. Moreover, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach has been applied for evaluating the effectiveness of relationship marketing and innovation in 3D printing medical market. Finally, the numerical results indicate that there is one causal configuration (i.e., 1A) found to be sufficient for high user satisfaction for the perspectives of 3D printing suppliers and three configurations for the perspectives of 3D printing customers. In the perspectives of 3D printing suppliers, the combination of relationship marketing, innovation, and 3D printing perceived value is sufficient conditions causing high user satisfaction. However, there are three causal configurations (i.e., 1B, 2B, and 3B) found to be sufficient for high user satisfaction for the perspectives of 3D printing customers.

What drives the governance of ridesharing? A fuzzy-set QCA of local regulations in China

Ridesharing or ride-hailing services have received substantial attention from scholars and practitioners around the world, and it has become an urgent issue for the government to find solutions to mitigate their negative externalities and to provide room for their development. Since the Chinese central government legalized ridesharing in 2016, cities across provinces have adopted dissimilar strategies in governing ridesharing. In this contribution, we use a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach to explain the variations in regulatory strategies adopted by 25 Chinese capital cities to govern ridesharing. Our study has identified seven paths to explain both the stringent and loose regulation of municipalities on ridesharing. These findings enrich our understanding of the choices of government strategies in regulating ridesharing. We conclude that regulators should adopt a network governance approach to achieve a win–win outcome in governing ridesharing.

Recipes for success: Conditions for knowledge transfer across open innovation ecosystems

Open innovation ecosystems involve the transfer of knowledge between multiple stakeholders to contribute toward product and service innovation, and to an extent, have superseded network-level approaches to co-creation. Effective management of the knowledge and information transferred between ecosystem partners is crucial for the process of open innovation. However, to date, limited research has focused on ascertaining the conditions required for knowledge transfer success, particularly where the context involves collaboration between diverse organizational actors. Correspondingly, this study extends existing knowledge by presenting an exploration of conditions for knowledge transfer success between ecosystem partners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty key stakeholders in order to acquire their perceptions of the presence of specific conditions within their ecosystem partnerships. Empirical data were analyzed using a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis approach, resulting in the production of success recipes from multinational, small and medium-sized enterprise, and academic institution perspectives. Results indicate that combinations of knowledge, relationship, and organizational characteristics contribute to knowledge transfer success. However, these combinations are found to be dependent on the type of ecosystem partnership involved. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are presented, along with acknowledged limitations and suggestions for further work.

Complexity, Causality, and Control in Statistical Modeling

Social scientists using statistical models and more qualitative techniques frequently employ divergent approaches to thinking about causality. Statistical methodologies tend to draw on probabilistic understandings of causality. Qualitative research traditions, however, have advanced a sophisticated framework around necessary and sufficient conditions. In particular, the qualitative comparative analysis approach has embraced theory development that emphasizes equifinality and complex causal relationships. This article reviews the two traditions and explores how a causal framework grounded in necessary and sufficient conditions can be adapted to statistical models. A logistic regression analysis of major contributions to peacekeeping missions is used to illustrate both the viability of blending the two traditions as well as the potential for more sophisticated theory development and testing.

Achieving customer engagement with social media: A qualitative comparative analysis approach

Past research has examined some possible customer engagement antecedents. However, extant studies investigated the impact of these factors on customer engagement in isolation from one another. That is, extant research offers little insights on whether one, all, or combinations of these factors need to be present to positively impact customer engagement. We conduct two studies and employ Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to address the limitations described above and explore what factors must be concomitantly present to achieve a high level of customer engagement. Shedding light on this question can help managers determine how to allocate limited resources to achieve customer engagement.