Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research Articles

Identifying the policy configurational conditions for off-site construction development: a case of China

PurposeA series of policies have been formulated to promote off-site construction (OSC) development. However, the effectiveness of these policies has yet to be fully explored. This study aims to explore the practical policy configurational conditions for achieving a high level of OSC development.Design/methodology/approachData on policy configurational conditions and the OSC development level were collected from 28 provinces/municipalities in China using text mining. A mixed-method approach was used to conduct data analysis involving text analysis and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). Text analysis was used to identify current policies with frequencies as independent variables and obtain the proportion of OSC projects in new construction projects as the dependent variable. QCA is employed to analyze the necessary and sufficient conditions of policy conditions for the high-level development of OSC by exploring the complex causal relationships between policy configurational conditions and the OSC development level.FindingsNine policies are obtained from the current policy framework for promoting OSC development using text analysis: industry supports, land policies, presale policies, reputation rewards, regulation controls, tax incentives, floor area rewards, financial subsidies, and loan subsidies. Four policy configurational conditions are identified that can achieve a high development level of OSC: three incentive-driven policy conditions with industry supports, presale policies, tax incentives, and floor area rewards as the core conditions, and one compulsory-driven policy conditions with land policies, financial supports, and loan supports as the core conditions using fuzzy set QCA. Moreover, our study found that a single policy cannot achieve a high level of OSC development as a necessary condition, and the policy configurational conditions that lead to high and nonhigh levels of OSC development are asymmetrical.Research limitations/implicationsThe study did not test the policy’s dynamic effects on the OSC development. A longitudinal study will be conducted to further identify the impact of policy on OSC implementation.Practical implicationsIt provides policymakers with four practical policy configurational conditions to promote OSC development and guides policymakers to optimize effective policies considering the interaction effects of effective policies such as industry supports, presale policies, tax incentives, and floor area rewards instead of their net effects.Originality/valueIt contributes to the existing literature concerning the effects of policy on emerging technology (i.e. OSC) promotion by elucidating configurative effects rather than net effects. Meanwhile, it enriches the research on the antecedent conditions that affect the implementation of other emerging technologies in the architecture engineering and construction industry.

Beyond regression: Unpacking research of human complex systems with qualitative comparative analysis

This study underscores the effectiveness of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) when compared to conventional regression analysis (CRA) in the investigation of complex human systems. Utilizing historical secondary cross-national data from Lipset & Man (1960) spanning 18 countries, where CRA may be impractical, the research emphasizes the superior performance of QCA, specifically utilizing both crisp set QCA and fuzzy set QCA. The dataset includes variables such as democracy survival and its precursors, such as gross national product per capita, urbanization, literacy rate, and industrial labor force. In contrast to conventional regression results indicating an insignificant relationship between democracy survival and its antecedents, crisp set QCA identifies two distinct combinations of antecedents associated with high levels of democracy survival, albeit with limited solution coverage. Meanwhile, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) reveals five combinations of antecedents linked to robust democracy survival, providing adequate solution coverage and consistency. These findings suggest that fsQCA excels in capturing the intricacies of real-life scenarios in human complex systems, offering more robust empirical solutions compared to crisp set QCA and conventional regression. As a result, researchers may find value in integrating fsQCA into their new projects focused on human complex systems.

Exploring moderating role of blockchain adoption on economic and environmental sustainability of organizations: A SEM‐fsQCA technique

AbstractThis study seeks to identify the determinants of economic and environmental sustainability through green supply chain management (GSCM) and explore the moderating role of blockchain adoption in the relationships between GSCM and economic and environmental sustainability. The theoretical model was developed based on a natural‐resource‐based view and stakeholder theory. The structural equation modeling‐fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (SEM‐fsQCA) was used to analyze the data, which were gathered from 179 organizations in Malaysia. The SEM results showed that green technology, green marketing, and customer pressure are the factors that affect GSCM and enhance economic and environmental sustainability. The fsQCA findings supported SEM results by indicating that a combination of customer pressure, green technology, green marketing, and GSCM was necessary to achieve the highest level of an organization's economic and environmental sustainability. Moreover, the assessment of the moderating effect highlighted that blockchain adoption strengthened the association between GSCM and organization economic and environmental sustainability. The findings of this study help managers and organizations understand how blockchain adoption can enhance economic and environmental sustainability.

What configurations of structures facilitate supply chain learning? A supply chain network and complexity perspective

PurposeThis study explores how factors arising from supply chain (SC) network and complexity work together in supply chain learning (SCL) behavior.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, which is an emerging configurational analysis method, was adopted to examine the complex combination of five influencing factors. The data were collected using a two-stage survey. First, the authors selected seven typical firms with an awareness of SCL. Second, questionnaires were sent to the partners of the seven selected firms, and 156 valid questionnaires were obtained from 76 firms.FindingsDrawing on emergent insights from the initiative, the authors find that multiple configurations of SC network and complexity lead to high SCL. Specifically, weak ties are necessary conditions of such learning, while strong ties are also conducive to this. Moreover, a moderate SC complexity is conducive to SCL.Practical implicationsThis study enriches the understanding of SCL and provides new insights for SC management practitioners to take measures to improve it.Originality/valueThis study addresses the lack of in-depth understanding of the antecedent conditions of SCL in the literature. It establishes an integrated and comprehensive theoretical framework of such learning based on contingency theory. Additionally, this study incorporates ambidextrous SCL (i.e. creation capability and dispersion capacity). An overall prototype of SCL capability is proposed on SC network and complexity theory.

A Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore the predictors of individuals’ willingness towards vaccination

The emergence of COVID-19 traumatized individuals from all walks of life and while the demand for vaccines increased exponentially, the authorities seem to encounter greater challenges on their road to create herd immunity. Governments initiated numerous campaigns to influence individuals to opt for vaccination and India being a diverse country makes it difficult to understand the motivating factors for getting COVID-19 vaccination.The study aimed to explore the predictors of individuals’ willingness to get vaccinated using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). After screening using the vaccine hesitancy scale, a semi-structured interview was conducted among 30 respondents from India. Crisp Set QCA was utilized to analyse the data which lead to nine conditions.A solution combination of seven conditions showed a consistency of 1 and coverage of 0.6. They included knowledge about vaccines, perceived severity of the COVID-19 virus, family and peer influence, media and health department's influence, a sense of social responsibility, trust in the authorities and vaccine efficacy.This study contributes to the relevance of QCA's use in psychological research, especially to identify predictors of willingness to immunize. The findings of this study would help in designing appropriate interventions to enhance willingness to get vaccinated.

The relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational resilience in the digital context

Purpose: Based on the theory of strategic entrepreneurship, the aim of this article is to identify the relationship between the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking) and organizational resilience in the context of digital transformation of enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: Due to the gap and considerable fragmentation of research in the existing literature on organizational resilience, particularly that on the whole combination of factors influencing it, in this study a set-theoretic analysis was performed using the fuzzy- set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA). The fs/QCA was used to identify previously unknown combinations of entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and digital business capability dimensions that lead to high organizational resilience. Findings: As indicated by the results of the conducted research, three different configurations are leading to high organizational resilience (digital-driven, digital and entrepreneurial orientation-driven, entrepreneurial orientation-driven). Moreover, it is impossible to create high organizational resilience driven by only one condition. Research limitations/implications: The study was narrowed down to one selected strategic orientation hence future research can be extended to different levels and theoretical perspectives. To generalize the results and increase the level of universality, a larger research sample from multiple industries and regions can also be analyzed. Practical implications: The study provides an important reference for companies to strengthen organizational resilience in the context of digital transformation. It pointed out that an entrepreneurial orientation can promote organizational resilience but requires managers to break the routine and focus on spreading the entrepreneurial spirit in the organization, creating a shared vision among individuals and improving employee creativity. Originality/value: The paper explains the mechanism of the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational resilience from the perspective of digitization. The findings are relevant to the development of strategic entrepreneurship theory and provide implications for building the resilience of SMEs. Keywords: entrepreneurial orientation, digital business capability, organizational resilience, digital transformation, fs/QCA. Category of the paper: research paper.

A QCA Crisp Set Study in Matching Cross-Managerial Alignment With ERP Implementation Outcomes

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is the most important methodological innovation in management and social science in the last two decades (Fiss et al., 2016). This paper attempts to use this innovative research method to study innovation in a Parent-Subsidiary ERP implementation project. A Crisp set QCA study is used to study 18 company-wide system projects in subsidiaries of a Multinational Enterprise (MNE). The generic applications of the innovation projects enabled the study to have a common denominator to gauge the innovation resulting in a variance of planned and actual completion dates. Although the data collected was from a completed projects log, the study took a subsidiary-innovation approach to measure the managerial alignments and the possible application of agency theory. Keywords: Subsidiary innovation, Parent-Subsidiary relations, Agency theory

How cultural dimensions are shaping social expectations: the case of European state-owned enterprises' nonfinancial reporting

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to shed light on how the mandatory regulation on nonfinancial information has changed European state-owned enterprises' (SOEs) disclosure levels. In addition, the present research aims to demonstrate, under the lens of legitimacy theory, how Hofstede's cultural dimensions shape social expectations that may have suffered changes after the introduction of a mandatory regulation on nonfinancial reporting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a mixed approach. First, it employees the content analysis to investigate the disclosure level on 22 of the 24 European SOEs. Second, the authors demonstrate how cultural dimensions take a different role when a change in regulation is introduced using the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).FindingsThe results reveal a slight increase in disclosure from the year before introducing the directive. Additionally, the results demonstrate how none of Hofstede's cultural dimensions is responsible for high disclosure levels. Although, the sufficiency analysis outlines several combinations of different cultural dimensions that lead to high disclosure levels. In particular, results demonstrate how the core dimensions leading to the outcome changed once the European Union Directive (EUD) has entered into force.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the contributions, the present study is not free of limitations. As the investigated sample is limited to a small number of SOEs, the content analysis adopts a dichotomous approach. The analysis is conducted on integrated reporting, and the fuzzy set QCA results cannot be used for generalization but refer only to the investigated sample. Consequently, further studies should investigate a broader sample of SOEs and organizations that adopt other nonfinancial reporting frameworks. Additionally, a qualitative approach to the reports' analysis is recommended.Practical implicationsIt demonstrates how the EUD on nonfinancial information has impacted the disclosure levels of European SOEs. It adopts a fresh methodology rarely used in accounting. It demonstrates how cultural conditions influence social expectations that determine corporations to disclose more information after the introduction of a regulatory framework.Originality/valueThe paper's theoretical contribution refers to its focus on the public sector, and it adopts a methodology rarely used by accounting scholars.

Together Making a Difference: A Configurational Study of Nonprofit Advocacy Effectiveness

Existing nonprofit advocacy literature has overwhelmingly focused on explaining what factors affect nonprofit participation in policy advocacy, while paying little attention to examine the effectiveness of such advocacy efforts. This study aims to address this limitation through asking a research question: what brings about effective nonprofit advocacy? Based on a multidimensional framework of effectiveness, this study applies a configurational approach of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) in theory building to identify the causal configurations and their elements leading to effective advocacy. The results of fuzzy set QCA (fsQCA) analysis confirm two propositions: first, the configuration or combination of multiple conditions, including organizational attributes, institutional environment, strategies and tactics, generates effective nonprofit advocacy. Second, there are equifinal multiple causal configurations that result in the same degree of advocacy effectiveness. This study contributes to the literature with a fresh theoretical perspective and a novel methodology to understand nonprofit advocacy effectiveness. It also has significant practical implications for nonprofit leaders to more effectively advocate policy change.

What drives biopharmaceutical firms' exploratory openness? A comparative process tracing approach to the analysis of R&D microfoundations

By responding to the call for a multidimensional approach in the open innovation domain, the present work aims to clarify the interplay of different internal R&D resources as microfoundations through which exploratory openness is encouraged and enacted.By combining the use of fuzzy- set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and process tracing, we undertake an in-depth analysis of specific causal mechanisms, linking a combination of internal R&D resources to predicting biopharmaceutical exploratory openness. In line with the theoretical framework, the breadth and depth of the firm knowledge base were translated into three different sources of diversity, which represent the three fsQCA conditions: R&D team composition, corporate research relationships, and R&D resource allocation.The study reveals that diversity in R&D resources contributes in a multifaceted way to firms' exploratory openness and is determined by the interactions among different dimensions of diversity.

QCA in empirical marketing research: An experiment featuring Dorah Explorah, investigating celebrity endorsement's effect on product selection

This study explains how to disentangle the relationships between outcomes and the configurations of marketing brand tactics and consumer attributes for a particular marketing phenomenon. We demonstrate that qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) can be implemented in marketing contexts, and that it can explain marketing phenomena to the standards of rigour, generality and complexity demanded by scientific research. Fuzzy set QCA (fsQCA) need not be feared; it can be a very useful case-based method for marketing theorists. The “thought experiment” featuring the hypothetical Dorah Explorah brand demonstrates fsQCA's value and its similitude with real markets, and confirms that a single attribute, marketing tactic or condition can affect the examined outcome differently when it is part of a different configuration, although it may not be necessary or sufficient for the outcome by itself. We extend the literature on marketing theory creation by drawing on social psychology and management disciplines (for methodology) and Heider's (1958) balance theory to propose a specific hypothesis. We then test this hypothesis via an experimental manipulation. We present the theoretical background supporting the study's hypothesis and make a strong plea for marketing scholars to develop theories using truly useful, highly predictive asymmetrical logic. We hope that this paper will act as a tutorial for marketing researchers, novices and experts, making the application of fsQCA as a methodology and as a set of techniques easier and more transparent. We explicitly highlight the configurationally important aspects of qualitative research in empirical marketing studies and comparative scientific enquiry.

Applying Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to evaluate a public health policy initiative in the North East of England

This paper presents a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) analysis of data produced as part of the evaluation a Nation Health Service commissioned intervention in the North East of England. QCA is a case-oriented method that allows systematic comparison of cases as configurations of set memberships based on their attributes and the relationship of these to particular outcomes. QCA provides an alternative to conventional quantitative approaches which are generally concerned with isolating the independent effect of one variable whilst controlling the influence of others. Instead, QCA allows for interactions between multiple attributes and recognises that the same outcomes may be generated by different configurations of attributes.The intervention evaluated provided case management for individuals who were out of work due to ill health, and had been for three years or more. It aimed to improve the health of individuals and move them closer to the labour market. The intervention and a comparison group were assessed at base line (T1), after 3 months – (T2) after 6 months (end of the intervention – T3) and after 9 months (three months post intervention – T4). The size of the respective populations at each time point were, Intervention group at T1, N=131, T2, N=44, T3, N=79, T4, N=95. Comparison group at T1, N=229, T2, N=188, T3, N=166, T4, N=154.General health was measured using EQ5-D (a standardised instrument for use as a measure of general health outcome) and SF-8. Two condition specific measures were included: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire.Data was also collected on socio demographics (gender, age, housing tenure), social capital (contact with family and friends and participation with the wider community), and work history (previous jobs, time spent in the job, time spent on sickness absence).The aim of the QCA analysis was to identify whether individuals with certain characteristics or combinations of characteristics benefited from the intervention. In order to do this the cases were sorted according to whether their EQ-5D VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores (a self rated measure of general health) narrowed or did not narrow towards the population norm for the measure between baseline (T1) and (T4) 9 months (three months post intervention – T4). Cases which narrowed towards the UK population norm of 82.48 were judged to be experiencing a health improvement whilst those whose scores did not narrow towards the norm were judged to not have experienced a health improvement. A crisp set (cs) QCA analysis was then performed.The paper assesses the benefits of using QCA, and asks whether it can provide a viable and practical tool for social policy evaluations.

Applying qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in public health: a case study of a health improvement service for long-term incapacity benefit recipients

This paper explores the value of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in public health research using the example of a pilot case management intervention for long-term incapacity benefit recipients. It uses QCA to examine how the 'health improvement' effects of the intervention varied by individual and service characteristics. Data for 131 participants receiving the intervention were collected over 9 months. Health improvement was measured using the EuroQual Visual Analogue Scale. Socio-demographic, health behaviour data were also collected. Data on service use was obtained from the provider's client records. Crisp set QCA was conducted to identify which individual and service characteristics were most likely to produce a health benefit after participation in the intervention. Health improvement was most likely amongst younger participants, men aged over 50 and those with an occupational history of skilled manual work or higher and less likely amongst older women, those with a musculoskeletal condition and those with semi- or un-skilled backgrounds. Service characteristics had no impact. The QCA identified potential causal pathways for health improvement from the intervention with important potential implications for health inequalities. QCA should be considered as a viable and practical method in the public health evaluation tool box.

Exploring the consequences of a recalibration of causal conditions when assessing sufficiency with fuzzy set QCA

The use of Charles Ragin’s Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is increasing in the social sciences. However, some of its characteristics, especially those of its fuzzy set variant, are still not well understood by users. QCA, a set theoretic method, aims to describe, in a Boolean form, the configurations of conditions that are necessary and/or sufficient for some outcome. The calibration of set memberships is a central feature. We discuss how two alternative calibrations of a condition affect the assessment of consistency with sufficiency. Using first an abstract example and then an empirical one from the sociology of education, we explain why “stricter” calibration of conditions results in higher consistency with sufficiency. We demonstrate that conventional truth table analysis is not an ideal way to compare the analytic consequences of alternative calibrations and therefore employ an alternative which allows a more direct comparison of consistency indices while keeping comparative configurational contexts intact.

An Introduction to Crisp Set QCA, with a Comparison to Binary Logistic Regression

The authors focus on the dichotomous crisp set form of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The authors review basic set theoretic QCA methodology, including truth tables, solution formulas, and coverage and consistency measures and discuss how QCA (a) displays relations between variables, (b) highlights descriptive or complex causal accounts for specific (groups of) cases, and (c) expresses the degree of fit. To help readers determine when QCA’s configurational approach might be appropriate, the authors compare and contrast QCA to mainstream statistical methodologies such as binary logistic regressions done on the same data set.

Applying Ragin's Crisp and Fuzzy Set QCA to Large Datasets: Social Class and Educational Achievement in the National Child Development Study

The paper explores the use of Charles Ragin's Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) in both its crisp and fuzzy set versions in the study of the relations between social class origin, sex, ‘ability’ and subsequent educational achievement. The work reported is part of a larger ongoing project which is employing QCA to compare these relations within two birth cohorts. Here data are used from the British National Child Development Study, i.e. from children born in 1958. The paper has a methodological focus, bringing out the strengths but also the difficulties that arise when employing QCA with a large dataset of this type. In particular, the problem of calibrating membership in fuzzy sets in a context where detailed case knowledge is not available is illustrated. It is also shown how the use of gradually increasing thresholds with Ragin's fs/QCA software can bring out the relative importance of various factors in accounting for achievement. The QCA-based analysis suggests that the processes of educational attainment can, at best, only be seen as partly falling under a ‘meritocratic’ description. It is also hoped that this paper will serve as a useful introduction to the potential of QCA for readers not yet familiar with it.