Qualitative Comparative Analysis Method Research Articles

Business Innovation and Internationalisation in Female-Owned Businesses: A Fuzzy-set QCA Approach

Abstract Female entrepreneurship is increasingly important to create new jobs and contribute to countries’ social and economic growth. This paper aims to examine how innovation and internationalisation interact from a female entrepreneurship perspective. Our research was based on the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method as a means of exploring the causal complexity between female entrepreneurship (condition), innovation, and internationalisation (conditions and outcomes). Our results suggest that female entrepreneurship alone is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for the outcome (high internationalisation or innovation). Nevertheless, the results indicate that female entrepreneurship is important in achieving a high level of internationalisation. This study provides policymakers with evidence of the gains of promoting female entrepreneurship in their respective countries. Our study advances knowledge in two ways. It explores the interplay between innovation and internationalisation from the perspective of female entrepreneurship. It applies fuzzy-set methods to the three concepts simultaneously.

Mapping the healthcare logistics and supply chain management in times of crisis

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between patient satisfaction (PS) and the parameters in healthcare and supply chain management (HLSCM).Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method have been employed to identify correlation and possible configuration of causal factors that influence PS, including lack of resilience (LS), lack of visibility (LV), cost management (CM) and integration and interoperability (II).FindingsThe results from SEM confirmed that PS is highly correlated with lack of visibility, CM and II as critical parameters. Moreover, fsQCA findings state that the configuration of high levels of both resilience and lack of visibility, as well as high levels of II, are crucial for PS.Research limitations/implicationsThe researchers also identified the configuration of factors that lead to low PS. The study’s results could assist healthcare providers in improving their supply chain operations, resulting in more effective and efficient healthcare service delivery and ultimately improving PS.Originality/valueThe fsQCA method used in the study provides a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between these factors. The inclusion of supply chain management characteristics as parameters in the evaluation of PS is a novel aspect of this research. Previous studies largely focused on more traditional factors such as physical care, waiting times and hospital amenities. By considering supply chain management factors, this study provides insights into an under-explored area of PS research, which has important implications for healthcare providers looking to improve their operations and PS.

How to achieve sustainable operation of transport infrastructure development: a case study of 30 transport infrastructure projects in China

Transport infrastructure projects are distinguished by their high levels of investment, lengthy construction periods, and reliance on government subsidies during operation. These factors have far-reaching impacts, not only on the sustainable operation and success of the projects themselves, but also on the orderly functioning of society and the sustainable development of the economy. As such, it is of paramount importance to thoroughly investigate the sustainable operation of transport infrastructure. This paper examines the impact of sustainable operation on transport infrastructure by analysing 30 projects in China’s transport infrastructure sector. The study employs the qualitative comparative analysis method. To achieve the aim of this paper, we identified five dimensions for assessing a project’s sustainability. These include the economic environment of the construction site, operational market demand, government support capacity, and enterprise management level. This analysis offers valuable guidance for future engineering projects. Finally, the study identified seven strategies for achieving sustainable operation of the project. The findings revealed that the economic development status, population size, and government subsidies of the construction site do not effectively promote sustainable operation of the project. Rather, they can hinder enterprises’ market competitiveness. The study’s results can assist decision-makers in determining the feasibility of implementing sustainable management practices in the new project. Examine the factors that influence the achievement of sustainable business while enhancing the operational efficiency of ongoing initiatives. This research aims to produce a valuable addition to risk assessments in sustainable operation research and the advancement of transportation infrastructure reduction.

How Does the Digital Innovation Ecosystem Enable Green Regional Development? A Dynamic QCA Study in China

The impact of digital empowerment on green innovation is increasingly evident, enabling various subjects to improve the integration of innovation elements and enhance innovation efficacy across a broader temporal and spatial scope. A comprehensive examination of the mechanisms that underlie this process is required. This paper constructs the ‘elements-subjects-environments’ research framework of digital innovation ecosystems, collecting data from 30 provinces in China from 2017 to 2021 and using green total factor productivity (GTFP) to evaluate the level of green regional development. In this study, the dynamic qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method is employed to analyze the intricate causal mechanisms and configurations of green regional development that are driven by digital innovation ecosystems from both temporal and spatial perspectives. The results show that: (1) green regional development requires the interaction of multiple elements, subjects, and the environment, and a single condition does not constitute a necessary condition; (2) there are four pathways with different configurations for high-level green development: data elements-driven enterprise application innovation, data elements-driven enterprise-user co-creation, data elements-driven multi-collaborative innovation, and digital environment-driven university basic innovation; (3) the temporal and spatial dimensions of China’s green regional development pathways are heterogeneous: the significance of data elements in fostering green regional development is increasing; the multi-collaborative innovation configuration is facilitating the green development of the eastern and central regions, whereas the western and northeastern regions are progressing at a relatively slow pace. This study provides theoretical and practical insights to promote the integration of digital innovation and green development.

What Kind of Institutional Configuration Incentivizes Farmers’ Behavior in Ecological Value Co-Creation of Cultivated Land?

Innovating institutional incentives and promoting multiple-subject interaction and cooperation to create ecological value of cultivated land are practical requirements for the sustainable protection of cultivated land and high-quality development of agriculture and rural areas. We performed a survey questionnaire of 862 farmers in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area and used the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to explore the institutional configuration effect of farmers’ behavior in the ecological value co-creation of cultivated land (FBEVCCL). The institutional configuration characteristics of the ecological value co-creation of cultivated land was analyzed, and we propose institutional optimization suggestions for the ecological value co-creation of cultivated land. The research results demonstrated the following: (1) A single institutional element does not constitute a necessary condition for the FBEVCCL, and it is necessary to analyze the institutional configuration effect. (2) Four institutional configurations lead to high-level FBEVCCL. Both formal and informal configurations have important impacts on the FBEVCCL, but the guidance, subsidies, and constraints of formal institutions are often the core driving factors, complemented by the shaping of farmers’ values to jointly enhance the FBEVCCL. The formal institutions of publicity and guidance, rewards and subsidies, and disciplinary constraints can to some extent replace each other. (3) The three institutional configurations lead to low-level FBEVCCL, and the lack of informal and formal institutions for incentives and punishments is the main reason for low-level FBEVCCL. In the future, we should further standardize the reward and punishment mechanism, enhance farmers’ green production skills, and sustainably enhance the behavior of farmers in the ecological value co-creation of cultivated land.

An FsQCA and NCA Analysis on the Drivers and Comprehensive Impact Analysis of the Implementation of Digital Twins

The adoption of digital technology is one of the key processes in the digital transformation of China's construction industry. As a representative digital technology in the digital transformation process of Construction 4.0, digital twin technology has attracted widespread attention in various fields, and its practical application is also growing rapidly. However, its implementation in the construction industry (CI) still faces major challenges. Although previous studies have made significant progress in understanding the drivers and barriers to the implementation of digital twins (DTs) in the CI, these studies have neglected to explore the comprehensive impact of various factors, and the configuration relationship between them remains unclear. This study uses a quantitative method to conduct a questionnaire survey to obtain 33 case sample data. Necessary condition analysis (NCA) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (FsQCA) methods are used for antecedent configuration analysis. The results show that: (1) The successful deployment of DTs in the CI does not depend on any single determinant, but is the adaptive result of the synergistic effect of multiple antecedent variables; (2) Six critical factors affecting the implementation of DTs in China's CI are identified, which can be summarized into four different causal paths or configurations, which are conducive to the implementation of DTs in China's CI. This study further explores and clarifies the comprehensive impact of antecedent variables on the implementation of DTs in China's CI provides a reference for the practice of digital transformation in the CI.

Driving Product Innovative Performance Through Network Connections: A Study Based on the fsQCA Approach

To explore how firms’ network connections improve product innovative performance (PIP) for sustainable development, this study takes 230 firms involved in product innovation as the research object, and uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to explore how strong ties, bridging ties, technology exchange, technology transfer, and innovation resource interaction can stimulate product innovative performance. This study has found that firms have three configurations to achieve high product innovative performance and two configurations to achieve non-high product innovative performance. Only appropriately matched types of strong ties, bridging ties, technological exchange, technological transfer, and innovation resource interaction can promote product innovative performance. The findings enrich the theoretical understanding of the relationships among network connections, knowledge flow, innovation resource interaction, and product innovative performance.

TOE Configuration Analysis of Smart City Construction in China Under the Concept of Sustainable Development

The construction of smart cities is an effective path for sustainable urban development. Determining how to build smart cities and choose effective development models has attracted attention from all walks of life. Consequently, determining how to promote the development of smart cities and how to choose effective development models has also attracted attention. This paper takes 77 prefecture-level cities in China as case studies to explore the impact of technology, organization, and environment on the high-level development of smart cities. In this study, the fsQCA (fuzzy set-based qualitative comparative analysis) method was used to explore the configuration effects of three types of factors. The main findings are as follows: Firstly, no single factor among the three categories is a necessary condition for the high development level of smart cities, indicating that relying solely on technological conditions cannot build high-level smart cities. Secondly, the path of development of a smart city can be summarized into three modes: Both organizational and industrial environment type, both governance and cultural environment type, and balanced development type. Finally, among the three modes, the government’s digital governance capability and industrial environment play a crucial role in achieving a high level of development in smart cities. This article examines the development of smart cities from a systems perspective and provides useful, practical insights for the construction of smart cities.

How to accurately evaluate and effectively improve the performance of provincial green development in China? An improved integrated method

Evaluating and improving the performance of green development (GD) is essential for the government to formulate sustainable development policies. This study first analyzes the connotation and structures of GD from systemic perspective. Secondly, based on the two-stage eco-inefficiency (TE) model, non-cooperative theory, the correlation coefficient and standard deviation, and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method (fsQCA), an improved integrated method, i.e., ITNE-fsQCA, is proposed. Thirdly, the validity and accuracy of ITNE-fsQCA are verified using the data from 30 Chinese provinces in 2020, and the results are compared with those obtained from TE and two-stage non-cooperative eco-inefficiency (TNE). Finally, the driving types and configuration pathway are discussed based on ITNE-fsQCA. The results show that: (1) compared to TE and TNE, ITNE-fsQCA helps to avoid the overestimation/underestimation of inefficiency in complex systems; (2) there are 8 configuration pathways that can effectively improve GD performance in 30 Chinese provinces in 2020, and these pathways are categorized into 4 driving types; (3) the enhancement of green technology innovation plays a crucial role in provincial sustainable development; and (4) the provincial GD inefficiencies in China are manifest various combinatorial forms. These findings provide the government with innovative ideas and methodologies for formulating sustainable development policies.

Exploring the antecedents of knowledge transfer among stakeholders in green building projects: From the configuration perspective

With the rapid development of green buildings around the world, knowledge transfer among stakeholders is of great significance in promoting the innovation and application of green building technologies. However, due to the complexity and specificity of green building projects, current studies have not fully established a comprehensive understanding of how elements from various dimensions (i.e., subject, relationship, context, and activity) collectively impact knowledge transfer among stakeholders in green building projects. Therefore, this study aims to explore the key factors that affect knowledge transfer among stakeholders in green building projects and how these factors work together to enhance the effectiveness of knowledge transfer (EKT). Firstly, the key factors influencing knowledge transfer were pinpointed: cognitive differences, connection strength, organizational climate, information technology capability, transmit willingness, receive willingness, perceived policy support, and richness of transfer channels. Then, an examination of the collected valid samples was conducted through configuration analysis utilizing the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. The findings reveal five configurations, categorized as strong connection-driven, policy support-driven, and both-driven. Lastly, some combination strategies were outlined for different categories to assist green building companies in enhancing EKT. This study not only enhances the existing green building literature by developing a framework of factors that influence knowledge transfer among stakeholders, but also provides a reference for corporate executives to choose the best strategies to enhance EKT in green building projects.

Research on the Driving Paths and Evolution of Digital Innovation in Intelligent Connected Vehicle Enterprises—A Configurational Analysis Based on Dynamic fsQCA

Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) are increasingly emerging as a pivotal driving force for promoting sustainable development in global transportation due to their outstanding performance in mitigating carbon emissions, alleviating traffic congestion, and enhancing travel efficiency. Enhancing the digital innovation capability of ICV enterprises is an imperative path to explore high-quality industry development and effectively respond to the latest technological revolution and industrial transformation. Based on the panel data from 20 listed companies in the ICV industry in China from 2019 to 2022, this study utilizes a fixed-base index and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method within the framework of technology–organization–environment (TOE) theory to investigate the influencing factors, driving paths, and temporal trends of digital innovation in ICV enterprises in China. The results show the following: (1) No single factor can constitute a sufficient condition for achieving a high level of digital innovation. (2) The level of digital innovation of ICV enterprises in China showed a fluctuating growth trend during 2019–2022. Digital infrastructure and market competition are the two critical factors for digital innovation, while technology and organizational conditions have become bottlenecks. (3) There are five driving paths of digital innovation in ICV enterprises in China, including the Entrepreneurial Navigation + Technology Accumulation Driving Path, R&D Advantage + Environment Driving Path, Application Oriented + Environment Driving Path, Knowledge Absorption Driving Path, and Total Factor Driving Path. (4) From 2019 to 2022, the digital innovation of ICV enterprises in China underwent two stages of evolution, namely “Knowledge Absorption + Government Promotion” to “Technology Embedded + Market Driven”. (5) A substitutive relationship exists between digital resource acquisition capabilities and digital infrastructure, which promotes digital innovation through different paths leading to the same goal. The findings of this study have important theoretical and practical implications for ICV enterprises in making scientific and reasonable digital innovation decisions, thereby fostering the sustainable development of the automotive industry.

Big data analysis of policy coordination paths based on latent dirichlet allocation model and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method

Big data analysis of policy coordination paths based on latent dirichlet allocation model and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method

A Study on the Antecedent Grouping Pattern of ESG Decoupling in New Energy Vehicle Manufacturing Companies

This study explores the decoupling phenomenon of listed companies in the new energy vehicle manufacturing category in terms of ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and necessity condition analysis (NCA) methods, and identifies four different groupings. These groupings reveal the complexity and diversity of firms' ESG performance and disclosure, including high gearing and low environmental commitment, high management compensation and low social responsibility, high media attention and selective disclosure, and high market competition and inadequate governance. The results of the study show that financial pressure, management incentives, media attention and market competition all significantly affect firms' ESG behavior. Based on this, policy and management recommendations are proposed, such as strengthening the regulation of ESG disclosure, incorporating ESG performance assessment in executive incentives, and balancing short-term financial goals with long-term sustainable development. Although this study reveals the complexity of ESG decoupling in new energy automobile manufacturing firms, the limitations of data source, sample scope and methodology still exist. Future research should expand the sample scope, conduct dynamic analysis, and synthesize multiple methods to deepen the understanding of corporate ESG decoupling behavior and provide scientific guidance for management and policy making.

Pathways and enhanced evaluation system for green low-carbon development across diverse Chinese regions.

Rapid economic growth in China has led to significant resource and environmental challenges, particularly in less economically developed regions. This study aims to identify effective strategies for achieving green, low-carbon development in these regions during the economic transition. We employed the Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to scrutinize the impact of economic, demographic, industrial, and technological factors on low-carbon development across a selection of Chinese provinces, including Qinghai, Hunan, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hainan, and Chongqing. This approach facilitates a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted determinants of low-carbon progress within the regional contexts of China. The study identified three distinct paths to low-carbon development, each with unique prioritization characteristics. These paths are the traditional early low-carbon path, the semi-modernized mid-carbon path, and the post-modernized low-carbon path. Each path offers tailored strategies for less developed regions to enhance their environmental innovation capacity and global competitiveness. This research contributes a novel perspective for regional sustainable development in China by offering tailored low-carbon development strategies for less developed regions. The findings suggest that region-specific strategies, aligned with developmental stages and characteristics, are essential for ensuring balanced economic, social, and environmental development.

The driving factors, configuration paths and effects of employment polarization under the development of digital economy.

Taking the development of China's digital economy as a background, the article provides an in-depth analysis and summarises the influencing factors of labour force employment polarisation. The study employs provincial panel data from 2010 to 2020, applies fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis methods, and constructs a fixed-effects model in order to explore the drivers, paths and their effects of employment polarisation. The results of the study show that economic, social and educational environments together have a significant impact on employment polarisation through interactions and synergistic effects; it also identifies four main paths of labour force employment polarisation, which are numerical-social-environment-driven, numerical-educational-environment-driven, numerical-economic-environment-driven, and types driven by other factors; this study also finds that compared to the summed impact of single elements, these grouping pathways have a more significant impact on employment polarisation. These findings not only provide a key perspective for understanding how the digital economy shapes employment polarisation, but also provide an empirical basis and insights for policies based on the findings.

Research on Factors Influencing Enterprise Resilience from the Perspective of Capability —Configuration Analysis Based on fsQCA

The healthy development of the real economy is crucial for achieving high-quality development goals, maintaining economic stability, and enhancing international competitiveness. However, globalization and rapid changes in the market environment have introduced significant uncertainties, posing new challenges to enterprise operations. Consequently, improving enterprise resilience has become an increasingly important concern for managers. The 42 manufacturing companies that were the first to recover their performance from major impact events will become the research sample. The fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method will be used to analyze the influencing factors of enterprise resilience from the perspective of capability. According to this analysis, there is a strong correlation between enterprise resilience and multiple indicators. Furthermore, combinations of different influencing factors can exhibit high resilience results. The analysis identifies three pathways: “efficient operation and resource buffer type,” “financial stability and leadership-driven type,” and “cash flow-driven type.” which provide a reference path for manufacturing enterprises to enhance their resilience. In addition, the conclusion indicates that innovation capability is not a necessary condition for affecting the resilience of enterprises. Only when z-score and managerial abilities complement each other can the resilience of the enterprise be enhanced.

Exploring the Routines from Fear of Missing Out to Cyberchondria via a Dual System Perspective

Drawing on the dual system theory, a configuration model for cyberchondria was proposed to explore the complex interplay between the individual characteristics, socioemotional system, and cognitive control system in causing cyberchondria. A questionnaire was distributed to users who have searched for health information on social media platforms. A total of 320 valid responses were collected. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was employed to analyse the data. Four equifinal configurations leading to cyberchondria were identified, with fear of missing out, perceived information overload, and perceived communication overload as core conditions. Additionally, one configuration leading to the absence of cyberchondria was identified. We further explored the configurations for the four sub-dimensions of cyberchondria. The results revealed four configurations for excessiveness, two for distress, one for compulsion, and three for reassurance. Four theoretical propositions leading to cyberchondria and its sub-dimensions are proposed. This provides a dual system perspective into how fear of missing out can evolve into cyberchondria and explains the complexities of cyberchondria between different individuals.

The driving pathways for the construction of rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystem based on the TOE framework

This research explores the driving pathways for building a high-level rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing valuable insights for responding to global policies promoting rural entrepreneurship and innovation and accelerating rural industrial development. However, existing studies on the “rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystem” lack in-depth exploration. Based on the CAS (Complex Adaptive System) theory and TOE (Technological, Organizational, and Environmental) framework, we conducted a comprehensive case study across 31 Chinese provinces, focusing on seven key indicators within three dimensions: technology, organization, and environment. Employing the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, we examined key factors and driving pathways influencing the establishment of successful rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystems in China. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) The construction of a rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystem is not driven by a single element but is the result of the combined effects of multiple facets and factors. (2) The number of leading agricultural enterprises and the establishment of e-commerce cooperatives are critical factors promoting the high-level construction of rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystems. (3) Typical driving pathways for advancing the construction of rural e-commerce entrepreneurial ecosystems can be categorized into three types: technology-organization-government-driven, organization-environment-driven, and holistic synergy-driven. The research findings are instrumental in guiding the government to formulate systematic policies that support the development of leading agricultural enterprises and e-commerce cooperatives. Additionally, these policies should be tailored to the specific characteristics of different regions to create differentiated driving paths. Implementing these measures can effectively promote rural e-commerce entrepreneurship.

Investigating the adoption of building information modeling of small-medium sized organizations in the construction industry: from a configuration perspective

ABSTRACT Building Information Modeling (BIM) is considered to be one of the most promising innovations in the construction industry, and the building industry is beginning to use and benefit from it. However, the full adoption of BIM in the construction industry is still challenging as small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) are lagging in BIM adoption. Although existing studies have explored many influencing factors of BIM adoption, most of them are focused on a single relationship and cannot explain why certain factor that works for one organization fails in others. This study aims to respond to the research gap in previous studies on BIM adoption in SMOs by highlighting the importance of the combination of influencing factors rather than single correlations, thereby clarifying the realization mechanisms of BIM adoption in SMOs. Using the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach and fsQCA3.0, this study connects the factors from technological, organizational, and environmental aspects under the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, five configurations leading to the high BIM adoption and two configurations leading to the low BIM adoption are identified with 36 SMO cases through the configurational lens. As one of the earliest attempts to investigate SMOs’ BIM adoption decisions using the QCA method, this study expects to offer a holistic understanding of BIM adoption in SMOs and contribute to the full BIM diffusion in the construction industry by providing valuable suggestions to industry practitioners. Highlights BIM adoption in SMOs results from a combination of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions, and no necessary conditions lead to BIM adoption behavior. More than one configuration is leading to high or low BIM adoption in SMOs. Under specific contexts, BIM capability can substitute for financial capability, while financial capability will substitute for government pressure. When conditions are missing on both the technological and organizational aspects, government or market pressure alone cannot lead to BIM adoption behavior in SMOs.

Can digital platform empowers inbound and outbound open innovation? From the perspective of the innovation ecosystem

In the global digital economy, the use of digital platforms in supporting innovation across organizational boundaries has attracted more concentration. By using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method, this paper examines survey data from 319 firms located in the Yangtze River Delta region in China. This paper investigates how digital collaboration capability, absorptive capability, digital platform, stakeholder pressure, and external support enable firms’ open innovation through a collaborative symbiosis. Findings reveal that although the above factors are not strictly necessary for firms to achieve high-level open innovation, they contribute to some degree. This paper identifies two comparable paths that facilitate inbound open innovation for firms: the “platform-enabling subject collaborative type,” which focuses on engaging relevant entities, and the “platform-enabling internal and external linkage-type,” which emphasizes integrating firms’ internal and external resources. In addition, a single path supports firms in achieving outbound open innovation, i.e., the “platform–external support collaborative type,” which relies on constructing digital platforms and obtaining external support. This paper offers some significant theoretical and managerial implications for firms, especially those in emerging markets, seeking to integrate into more innovation ecosystems and engage in open innovation through the use of digital platforms.