Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research Articles

Sustainable recycling management: configuration of risk factors and resilience strategies

Purpose Recycling is associated with positive social and environmental impact, but previous studies have overlooked the cost of recycling operations. Based on the dynamic capability view, the purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate risk factors and resilience strategies within the recycling industry, prioritize these factors and identify the optimal combination of resilience strategies and risk factors to improve market performance. Design/methodology/approach The research questions were addressed in three subsequent studies. In Study 1, qualitative interviews were conducted to identify risk factors and strategies to mitigate those risks. In Study 2, quality function deployment methodologies were implemented via case studies derived from three different companies. Based on the results of Studies 1 and 2, in addition to the use of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, Study 3 aimed to determine the optimal combination of risk factors and strategies impacting market performance. Findings The results across the three studies revealed a number of risk factors as well as which risk factors and resilience strategies have the greatest impact on market performance. Specifically, it was found that higher levels of readiness, response and recovery strategies lead to greater market performance, whereas weak readiness, response and recovery strategies, along with low societal, environmental and health and safety risk factors, significantly inhibit performance. Originality/value This research extends current understandings of market performance in relation to recycling industry management and offers insight for decision-makers toward combating significant risk factors in business-to-business settings.

Exploring the combination of individual and organizational–environmental factors in the expression of radical and incremental creativity

AbstractInnovative products and services are key factors in corporate competitiveness, and the expression “employee creativity” is the top priority factor in leading corporate innovation. This study aims to investigate the differences between the predictive variables for the expression of radical and incremental creativity and the combinations of the predictive variables, which aid in the expression of two types of creativity. A research survey was conducted with 600 employees working in newspaper, broadcasting, and film businesses. The results were derived by conducting a fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) on 513 useful samples. Using necessity and sufficiency analysis of a fs/QCA, the results indicate that the three personal factors—job expertise, creative process engagement, and work engagement—are commonly required for two types of creativity. Conversely, organizational–environmental factors, a risk‐taking climate, and external networking behavior are only predictive variables of radical creativity. This study's results provide insights regarding the personal and environmental resources that employees must secure to express radical and incremental creativity. Because a clear difference was found in the factors required for the expression of the two types of creativity, based on the results of this study, Human Resource Development(HRD) can devise an effective method to support the expression of the two types of differential creativity.

Reconceptualizing Franchisee Performance: A Configurational Approach in a Base‐of‐the‐Pyramid Context

AbstractThis paper proposes and tests a new conceptual framing for franchisee performance that draws on institutional complexity to explore the interaction of corporate, market, and relational logics of performance. Extant research draws on corporate and market logics to explain performance; however, this does not explain individual franchisee performance in complex institutional environments such as Base‐of‐the‐Pyramid (BoP) markets where relational logics may be more important, thereby limiting explanations of how franchisee outlets perform. Drawing on data from a network of 58 franchise outlets in the context of Kenya, we conduct a configurational analysis related to sales outcomes. We leverage fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to map out the conditions under which franchisees exhibit higher sales performance. Results show that three distinct configurations can lead to increased sales performance. Our results paint a nuanced picture of combinations of factors that result in franchisee success with relevance to the BoP context and beyond.

Mindfulness and psychological capital: examining the role of intention from the person perspective in a multi-week mindfulness training program

PurposeWhen evaluating the efficacy of mindfulness interventions, most studies take a linear approach to explore how an intervention impacts different outcomes for individuals, and rarely is the role of intention examined. This research takes a configural approach to consider how various elements of a participant’s training expectations and their experience in the training condition combine to predict increases in psychological capital.Design/methodology/approachEmployees from hospital settings were randomized into three conditions (mindfulness training, active control (Pilates), and wait-list control group) and completed surveys at three time points (baseline, post-training and three months post-training). A qualitative comparative analysis was applied to see what combinations of motivational elements were associated with increases in psychological capital.FindingsWe find that all three conditions can boost their psychological capital based on different configurations involving efficacy beliefs, baseline states of well-being (psychological capital and perceived stress) and changes in levels of mindfulness and perceived stress.Research limitations/implicationsIndividual characteristics, like motivation, expectancy and baseline needs, are an important consideration in addition to the training condition itself when determining whether a training is efficacious.Practical implicationsIt is of increasing importance that organizations find ways to support employee well-being. Offering a variety of psychological and physical interventions can improve psychological capital. Applying needs assessments that clarify the desires, needs and expectations employees hold may help with intervention efficacy.Originality/valueThe current study offers an innovative methodology through which realist evaluation approaches can consider multiple factors to predict outcomes.

Corporate governance for sustainable development: A study on mechanism configuration

There is a dearth of configuration analysis on the factors that constitute corporate governance mechanisms within the framework of corporate sustainable goals in existing literature. Specifically, the impact mechanisms related to various combined mechanisms have not been comprehensively defined. This study employs Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) approach to explore the effects of various configurations of corporate governance mechanisms on sustainable development, based on a sample of 2959 Chinese listed companies. Our analysis identifies four distinct pathways that facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals: 1) enlarging board size, providing managerial incentives, establishing sustainability committees, and enhancing corporate transparency; 2) promoting board diversity, providing managerial incentives, establishing sustainability committees, and enhancing corporate transparency; 3) reducing ownership concentration, providing managerial incentives, establishing sustainability committees, and enhancing corporate transparency; 4) encouraging individual investment, providing managerial incentives, establishing sustainability committees, and enhancing corporate transparency. Additionally, a comparative analysis of different pathways has revealed substitutional relationships between board size and diversity, ownership concentration and investor structure, while highlighting the complementary relationship of managerial incentives, sustainability committees, and corporate transparency. Challenging the erstwhile linear research paradigm, this study contributes to understanding the pathways for achieving sustainable development goals from a configurational perspective and elucidates the relationships between corporate governance mechanisms. It offers novel and comprehensive evidence for examining the intricate nexus between corporate governance mechanisms and sustainable development. Keywords: Stakeholder theory; Sustainable development; Corporate governance mechanisms; Mechanism configurations; fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA).

The bold decision to go “all in”: Understanding the reasons behind consumers' willingness to migrate to the metaverse

AbstractThe study explores the reasons that drive and hinder consumers' willingness to migrate to the metaverse. To determine them, a mixed‐methods approach is used: phase 1 (qualitative) involves conceptual development of a model based on in‐depth consumer interviews, and in phase 2, the conceptual model is empirically tested via structural equation modeling. Results show that social presence is a crucial enabler, while realistic and symbolic threats are significant inhibitors of the willingness to migrate. Preusage cognitive dissonance significantly mediates the relationships between social escapism, social pressure, realistic threat, symbolic threat, and willingness to migrate. Specifically, the mediating influence between empowerment and willingness to migrate is higher for individuals with low metaverse anxiety. Results of the artificial neural network technique indicate that social presence is the most significant antecedent of willingness to migrate, and results of the fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis highlight the presence of six distinct configurations that indicate a high willingness to migrate. This study enriches the behavioral reasoning theory by examining the interplay of the reasons influencing the willingness to migrate. Further, it contributes to the intergroup threat theory by investigating the potential link between willingness to migrate and the presence of realistic and symbolic threats.

Exploring the push-pull factors influencing parenting efficacy of fathers of children with ASD: a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the core factors and configurations influencing parenting efficacy for fathers of children with ASD in Western China by using a configuration analysis.BackgroundUnderstanding the push-pull factors related to parenting efficacy for fathers raising children with ASD can support the fathers of children with ASD to participate in education affairs and improve the quality of family education, which is of significant importance to both individuals and society. This study recruited 156 fathers of children with ASD from China.ResultsThe results suggested that there was more than one (sub) configuration for achieving a high level of parenting efficacy among fathers of children with ASD. (b) The configurations could be summarized into three main types as follows: “working within the system*flexible working time,” “high level of education*high level of other support,” and “severe disability*fewer interaction with wife.” (c) The two variables, “family income” and “community support,” were not as important as they were shown in previous studies, and their effects often depended on how they interact with other variables.ConclusionsFindings highlighted the validity of deploying configuration analysis (based on the ecosystem theory) to establish the relationship between independent variables and the parenting efficacy of fathers of children with ASD. The discovery of more than one configuration led to a new consensus on how multiple factors influence parenting efficacy. Implications were suggested for practitioners, policymakers, and future research alike.

A Systematic Review of Applications of Generative Design Methods for Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Energy efficiency is a principle of architectural design that reduces environmental impact. Generative design can offer alternative options to improve energy efficiency in buildings, but significant gaps exist in the application due to accessing complex knowledge. This study aimed to explore publications on generative design and energy efficiency in buildings and identify generative methods for energy efficiency topics. This study conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology in December 2023 by searching publications from databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, and Thai Journals Online. Descriptive analysis examined 34 articles, showing the publication year, source, and citations. Comparative qualitative and descriptive analysis identified generative methods. Publications are increasing over time, and further growth is expected related to the accessibility of computational design and practical applications. Tools and frameworks demonstrated reduced energy usage compared to prototypes or traditional design approaches. The most studied is thermal performance, which was reduced by 28%. Energy performance achieved up to a 23.30% reduction, followed by others and daylighting. In addition to single-topic studies, there are also studies with multiple topics. Evolutionary algorithms are standard. Parametric search strategies have increased. Exploration reveals rule-based and mixed methods. Machine learning and AI garner attention.

Enhancing SMEs resilience through digital innovation: a stage-based analysis

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), inherently vulnerable entities, prompting a pivotal question of how to enhance SMEs’ organizational resilience (OR) to withstand discontinuous crises. Although digital innovation (DI) is widely acknowledged as a critical antecedent to OR, limited studies have analyzed the configurational effects of DI on OR, particularly stage-based analysis.Design/methodology/approachUnderpinned by the dynamic capabilities view, this study introduces a multi-stage dynamic capabilities framework for OR. Employing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), digital product innovation (DPI), digital services innovation (DSI) and digital process innovation (DCI) are further deconstructed into six dimensions. Furthermore, we utilized fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore the configuration effects of six DI on OR at different stages, using data from 94 Chinese SMEs.FindingsFirst, OR improvement hinges not on a singular DI but on the interactions among various DIs. Second, multiple equivalent configurations emerge at different stages. Before the crisis, absorptive capability primarily advanced through iterative DPI and predictive DSI. During the crisis, response capability is principally augmented by the iterative DPI, distributed DCI, and integrated DCI. After the crisis, recovery capability is predominantly fortified by the iterative DPI, expanded DPI and experiential DSI. Third, iterative DPI consistently assumes a supportive role in fortifying OR.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the extant literature on DI and OR, offering practical guidance for SMEs to systematically enhance OR by configuring DI across distinct stages.

Translating Laughter: A Critical Examination of Humor in three Arabic Versions of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn

Translating Laughter: A Critical Examination of Humor in three Arabic Versions of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn

An fsQCA approach to identifying pathways to K-9 students’ online learning engagement

Student engagement has been shown to function as a pathway leading to valued educational outcomes. This study used fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to reveal how various configurations of sex, grade level, teaching presence, social presence, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and parental support lead to high online learning engagement (OLE) in a sample of 516 compulsory education (K-9) students from three provinces in Central and Eastern China. The results indicated that eight configurations of the conditions were required to attain high OLE. Of these, one configuration was sufficient to explain high OLE for all students regardless of sex and grade level, five different configurations lead to high OLE for elementary school students, and one configuration explained high OLE for boys and girls regardless of grade level. Identifying these specific configurations could help teachers to design and provide personalized online learning experiences that enhance student engagement.

Drivers of adaptive resilience of public sector organizations: an investigation into the individual characteristics of hybrid professional managers

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of resilience of public sector organizations. Drawing from Upper Echelons Theory, this study investigates the relationship between configurations of demographic and background characteristics of hybrid professional managers and organizational adaptive resilience. Specifically, it focuses on heads of 34 Italian public clinical laboratories in the Veneto Region during the first wave of the pandemic. Based on fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, the findings show four different combinations of attributes that lead to high levels of adaptive resilience. A key role is played by being a female manager and possessing a high level of organizational tenure.

Technological Capabilities on Business Outcomes: Evidence from Meta-Analysis and FsQCA

ABSTRACT A meta-analysis of 161 empirical studies analyzed technological capabilities (TC) through meta-analytical structure equation modeling (MASEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Our findings show that TC has mean positive effect size estimates across business outcomes. The combinative approach of TC presents different insights about its impact on various business outcomes. This approach highlights a theoretical view while attempting to understand the impact of TC on business outcomes.

Patient influencer: the impact of homophily on value co-creation behaviour in online health communities

ABSTRACT The world has witnessed a rapid rise of online health communities (OHCs) where patients can create a powerful network of support and resources to make a meaningful difference in people’s health lives. Despite this rapid rise, healthcare authorities and organisations are under enormous pressure to create a sustainable environment for OHCs. Prior studies revealed that encouraging patient value co-creation behaviour (VCB) is substantially beneficial for successful OHCs; however, what factors influence these patient behaviours to co-create value is still unknown. To fill this gap, this study uses the service-dominant logic perspective of value co-creation theory and discloses how homophily between patient influencers and patients in OHCs effect VCB. The data was collected through a self-administered survey from 422 patients who are users of OHC in China and was analysed via partial least squares structural equation modelling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results revealed that homophily positively influences VCBs, i.e. participation behaviour (PB) and citizenship behaviour (CB). A parasocial relationship only moderates the relations between homophily and (PB), whereas the influencer ethical interaction capability significantly moderates the relationship of both homophily with patient PB and CB. Furthermore, the fsQCA findings signify the robustness of the study model.

Hidden stories and the dark side of entrepreneurial commitment

PurposeEntrepreneurs are generally considered to be committed in order to strive for highly desirable goals, such as growth or commercial success. However, commitment is a multidimensional concept and may have asymmetric relationships with positive or negative entrepreneurial outcomes. This paper aims to provide a nuanced perspective to show under what conditions commitment may be detrimental for entrepreneurs and lead to overinvestment.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of entrepreneurs from incubators in France (N = 437), this study employs a configurational perspective, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify which commitment profiles lead entrepreneurs to overinvest different resources in their entrepreneurial projects.FindingsThe paper exposes combinations of conditions that lead to overinvestment and identifies five different commitment profiles: an “Affective profile”, a “Project committed profile”, a “Profession committed profile”, an “Instrumental profile”, and an “Affective project profile”.Originality/valueThe results show that affective commitment is a necessary condition for entrepreneurs to conduct overinvesting behaviors. This complements previous linear research on the interdependence between affect and commitment in fostering detrimental outcomes for nascent entrepreneurs.

Assessing Green Practices on Eco-Friendly Hotel Customer Loyalty: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Hybrid Approach

With a global focus on environmental sustainability, hotels worldwide are actively transitioning their services from conventional to eco-friendly practices. This study aims to comprehensively understand the factors that contribute to visitors’ satisfaction in eco-friendly hotels and how this satisfaction influences customers’ future reactions towards such environmentally conscious establishments. Employing the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory, this study collected data from 277 respondents using a robust quantitative research strategy. A combined approach of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) was employed, to uncover deep insights into visitors’ satisfaction and their reactions towards eco-friendly hotels. The PLS-SEM results reveal significant associations between customers’ satisfaction towards eco-friendly hotel services and service quality, green practices, perceived value, and environmental sensitivity. Moreover, this study highlights a positive correlation between satisfaction and crucial outcomes like revisit intention (RVI), willingness to pay a premium (WTPP), and word-of-mouth intention (WOMI). Complementing these findings, the fsQCA analysis uncovers intricate causal relationships among antecedents that influence customer satisfaction in eco-friendly hotels. By offering critical marketing insights, this study provides guidance for hotels, the tourism industry, and policymakers on attracting customers to eco-friendly hotels, to meet the increasing demands for environmental sustainability.

TED Talks and entrepreneurial intention in higher education: A fsQCA approach

Higher education institutions are aware of the importance of entrepreneurship education in reflecting real-life scenarios and increasing students' professional opportunities. Universities attempt to nurture students' entrepreneurial skills and awaken their entrepreneurial intention through specific or transversal entrepreneurship courses in a wide variety of degree programs. By using active learning techniques, such as TED Talks, students can improve their entrepreneurial intention. However, the potential of TED Talks to stimulate students' entrepreneurial skills and intention has not yet been studied from a multicausal perspective. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by describing an educational experience based on active learning at a Spanish university. TED Talks were introduced to stimulate entrepreneurial intention in undergraduate students (n = 25) and master's degree students (n = 32). The impact of the experience was assessed using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Given this approach, no single characteristic was found to lead to high (or low) levels of entrepreneurial intention in students. Instead, combinations of factors were found to cause this outcome. The findings show different student profiles that lead to high and low entrepreneurial intention. The findings thus confirm the multicausal nature of entrepreneurship in higher education institutions.

Evaluating REDD+ Progress and Results-Based Incentives in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Analysis across Southeast and South Asian Countries

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of REDD+ progress in South and Southeast Asian nations, investigating the intricate relationship between specific conditions and outcomes. Utilizing a two-step Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), it identifies the Configuration Enabling Outcomes (CEO) that drive successful REDD+ results through transformational change (TC). The amalgamation of conditions observed in Sri Lanka demonstrates moderate effectiveness in REDD+ readiness and implementation. Key QCA insights underscore the significance of active participation in forest conservation, government policies shifting from conventional forest practices, and accessible funds for performance-based incentives, underpinned by formal commitments among stakeholders. Inferences drawn emphasize the need to synergize remote and proximate conditions within institutional and policy frameworks, propelling transformative change in REDD+ policies. Concurrently, interventions in existing forest, climate change, and REDD+ policies are pivotal to enhance core aspects and mitigate pressure on forest resources. Moreover, dynamic monitoring and adaptability are vital for advancing REDD+ goals, particularly in the evolving landscape of developing nations’ implementation.

Exploring paths underpinning the implementation of municipal waste sorting: Evidence from China

Urban residents' waste sorting plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenge of the “waste siege” in China and is also closely associated with the quality of urban governance. We draw on the Technology–Organization–Environment framework to identify six key variables affecting municipal waste sorting in China: digital technology innovation, attention allocation, publicity and education, enforcement intensity, economic development level, and volunteer resources. Using the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to analyze the effect of conditions on municipal waste sorting, the results show the following: 1) A single condition is insufficient to ensure high levels of municipal waste sorting. We propose that the “multiple concurrency” of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions creates diverse paths for promoting municipal waste sorting. 2) We then identify three paths for waste-sorting promotion, which all require technological, organizational, and environmental conditions. In addition, the two paths obtained for low levels of municipal waste sorting are not the opposite of those obtained for high levels. By observing the above five paths of waste sorting, we deduced that digital technology innovation is indispensable in driving waste sorting, and 3) Our cross-case comparisons show that there are effective paths to waste-sorting governance that work for cities regardless of their location or piloting. In some cases, high levels of attention allocation and high levels of publicity and education are substitutes for each other. We recommend that local governments refer to their own unique characteristics and resource endowments when tailoring waste-sorting strategies.

DOES N-ACETYLCYSTEINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING AN ALTITUDE TRAINING CAMP ENABLE TRAINING QUALITY AND SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES? A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Elite athletes regularly incorporate training at altitude into their programs to enhance performance. However, the additional stress of exposure to a hypoxic environment needs to be carefully managed by coaches and sport scientists. Supplementation with antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may support the athlete’s immune system to cope with this stress. Preliminary evidence also suggests NAC may further promote haematological adaptations to hypoxia. Combined, the potential health and adaptive benefits of NAC warrant further investigation. Conducting ecologically valid and scientifically robust research in an elite sporting setting can be challenging due to small sample sizes, an inability to experimentally manipulate training, and the inherent complexity of the training environment. To account for these challenges, a comparative case study approach was used. METHODS Thirteen swimmers completed a three-week ‘Live-High, Train-High’ camp in Flagstaff, USA (elevation 2,100m). Beginning four days prior to the camp commencing, swimmers where randomly assigned in matched groups to consume NAC (1,200mg per day; n = 6) or a placebo supplement (n = 7) for 14 days. With each athlete defined as a case, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was used to examine the configurational effects of attributes (i.e., antioxidant support, sufficient ferritin, maintained body mass) previously associated with successful altitude training camps on physiological and performance outcomes. RESULTS NAC was not a solely sufficient or necessary attribute for increased haemoglobin mass. Higher consistency in haemoglobin mass was observed with high training quality. NAC and high training quality contributed to performance improvements. CONCLUSION Swimmer responses were highly individual with successful physiological and performance outcomes achieved by some, irrespective of having attributes that can impair adaptation to altitude training. Subjective training quality provided important contextual information. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis is a novel approach in sports science to evaluate the interrelationship of attributes that can impact performance.