Multiple Case Study Research Articles

Sustainable Entrepreneurial Process in the Deep-Tech Industry

To date, deep-tech entrepreneurship and sustainable entrepreneurship are both attracting the interest of researchers. Indeed, deep-tech is being employed to address future sustainable challenges in the present. Nevertheless, the process of deep-tech startups is filled with distinct obstacles. These types of startups may necessitate a more targeted sustainable entrepreneurial process and specialised knowledge compared to conventional technological startups or general sustainable entrepreneurial processes. Currently, most publications discuss either a sustainable entrepreneurial process or conventional technical startups. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the process of sustainable entrepreneurs as they transition from startup ventures to scaleup enterprises within the context of the deep-tech industry. Based on previous sustainable entrepreneurial processes, a multiple case study was conducted within six deep-tech startups, using a narrative progress research strategy, to find the sustainable process pattern. A conceptual model of a sustainable entrepreneurial process in deep-tech industry is established, including five phases with six activities: (i) Sustainable idea definition; (ii) Sustainable opportunity recognition and evaluation; (iii) Venture launch; (iv.i) Sustainable products/services development; (iv.ii) New sustainable enterprise financing; and (v) Sustainable enterprise scaleup. This process enables sustainable deep-tech entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial investors to necessarily have an overview of the key entrepreneurial stages to navigate from the startup to the scaleup process.

Different paths to improving together: a taxonomy of buyer-supplier collaborations for sustainability in food supply networks

Purpose Extant research shows collaboration among supply chain (SC) partners can address the significant environmental impacts of industrial food systems, but can be risky and resource-intensive. Past studies have predominantly treated buyer–supplier sustainability collaborations as a single aggregate concept missing the theoretical richness. This study aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of these collaborations for jointly improving sustainable food supply networks. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study was conducted covering 8 SCs in the Dutch food processing industry, using data from 27 interviewees and extensive secondary material. Findings By applying the dynamic relational view, this study identifies three types of buyer–supplier collaboration, reflecting three paths of sustainable value creation: (1) the bilateral path, featuring equal participation and extensive collaboration, yielding substantial environmental and economic benefits; (2) the buyer-driven path, where the buyer leads the collaboration to address sustainability issues that are raised by stakeholders, relying on supplier expertise to improve SC traceability and sustainability reputation, albeit at higher costs; (3) the supplier-driven path, where the supplier leads the collaboration for incremental environmental and economic improvements. Practical implications The taxonomy results provide practical guidelines to assist managers in selecting the most suitable collaboration type for their specific sustainability goals and more effectively address sustainability challenges. Originality/value The three identified types of collaboration form a novel taxonomy for improving sustainability in food supply networks, representing different paths for SC partners to achieve progressively more substantial sustainability improvements. This taxonomy challenges the perspective that adopting sustainability invariably leads to increased costs by providing evidence of simultaneous economic and environmental improvements.

The Exercise of Nurses' Clinical Leadership in Hospital Care Units: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study.

This study aims to describe the exercise of clinical leadership by nurses within hospital care units, identify the factors influencing it and explore how nurses perceive its impact. Qualitative multiple case study. The study involved 36 interviews, 120 h of observation and documentary analyses with nurses across various roles within three nursing teams to capture collective leadership. Thematic and cross-case analyses were also conducted. Nurses' clinical leadership was manifested in five distinct forms, irrespective of their role: (1) initiating actions involving reflective thinking and intervention, (2) influencing others through coaching, (3) actively participating in and mobilising efforts to enhance the quality of care, (4) fostering optimal synergy and team cohesion, and (5) leveraging personal and collaborative capacities. Factors influencing this leadership included clinical, human and material resources, time, a work environment that promotes autonomy and a positive work climate. Nurses perceived their leadership as having a positive impact on patients, themselves, the interdisciplinary team and the organisation. These findings were integrated into a modellisation of the exercise of nurses' clinical leadership based on Le Moigne's (La Théorie du Système Général. Théorie de la Modélisation. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 2006) philosophical approach. This study provides a perspective on nurses' collective clinical leadership in hospital care units, emphasising its leverage effect and the achievement of positive impacts. The proposed model serves as a valuable tool for nurse managers to better understand and support the exercise of clinical leadership. The model can guide nurse managers in supporting clinical leadership within teams, assist individual nurses in associating clinical leadership with their practice and assist with mobilising their leadership skills. This study explores how nurses across various roles within a hospital care unit exercise clinical leadership. The findings reveal five active forms of nurses' clinical leadership, perceived by nurses to positively impact patients, the interdisciplinary team and the organisation. Nurses and managers can use these five forms to foster a collective approach to clinical leadership. None. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY?: This study introduces an innovative model for understanding and promoting nurses' clinical leadership. It provides insights into the positive impact of this leadership approach and the significance of promoting it. Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research [SRQR] (O'Brien etal. Academic Medicine, 89, 2014 and 1245). Not registered.

Digitalisation in food supply chains to build resilience from disruptive events: a combined dynamic capabilities and knowledge-based view

Purpose Building resilience in food supply chains is considered vital to tackle disruptions and ensure the availability of food. This study aims to empirically explore how firms operating in food supply chains can develop dynamic capabilities and use digital technologies to address disruption. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study methodology was adopted to understand how the firms built resilience by developing dynamic capabilities. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with four case companies to gather data across various functional areas (sourcing, operations and logistics). Findings Results show that knowledge management is a key antecedent to developing dynamic capabilities. The development of such dynamic capabilities − sensing, seizing and transforming, along with the adoption of digital technologies enabled firms to address the disruptions and, hence, build resilience. Resilience is demonstrated in the form of maintaining or improving performance outcomes such as profit, waste reduction, food quality, lead time, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Originality/value This is one of the earliest empirical studies that provide insights into how firms operating in food supply chains have built resilience by developing dynamic capabilities through knowledge management practices and, which required the implementation of digital technologies. The study extends dynamic capability theory with the knowledge-based view and develops a novel framework along with a pathway to build resilience.

‘What’s in it for us?’ How Inclusive Behavior Benefits Interpersonal Communication at Work

This article examines how inclusive behavior affects communication on an interpersonal level while presenting a perspective on how these effects are created and obtained. We present our findings through a multiple case study design of the positive communication benefits attributed to inclusive behaviors while generating a better understanding of how and when these benefits occur. This contribution could help organizations identify the value of practicing inclusion and guide them toward acquiring the benefits of inclusive behavior. The article also suggests that informal learning plays a substantial role in reaping interpersonal benefits due to the practice of inclusive behavior in work-related settings.

Role of Social Media in Addressing Educational Inequality: A Critical Examination of Marginalized Teens’ Social Media Usage

Although digital technology is valorized for its promises in empowering individual learners and democratize educational opportunities, such hopeful imaginaries need to be critically revisited. What is the role of social media in addressing educational inequality? This study aims to unravel the question by examining the role of social media in the college choice system of potential first-generation college students. The study adopts a multiple case study approach, engaging with eleven high school seniors, whose parents did not complete a four-year college/university. Two interviews and a week of social media diary data were collected. The themes revealed the teens’ contradictory views toward the role of social media in their college choice system: (a) abundant but insufficient information, (b) helpful but not impactful for college choice, and (c) inspiring but distressing experiences. The contradictions uncover the important role of in-person support system and resources embedded in marginalized teens’ college choice system, underscoring the pre-existing inequalities in their social contexts. Based on the results, I critically discuss the role of social media in addressing educational inequality, particularly the optimism around digital informal learning, and provide suggestions for formal schooling to enhance marginalized teens’ college access.

Cameron and Quinn’s organisational culture traits In the context of university-SME cooperation: A qualitative study

Partnerships between universities and enterprises (U-E) have become increasingly important. However, research into the style of organisational culture in these collaborations is limited. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify, using the psychometric tool developed by Cameron and Quinn (1999): OCAI ( Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument), the relevance and style of corporate culture in collaboration between universities and small and medium-sized enterprises (U-SME). We decided to carry out multiple case studies, which involved the cooperation relationships between a Portuguese university and eight incubated SMEs. To obtain the data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning, importance and type of organisational culture present in U-SME cooperation. The results suggest that a U-SME cooperation relationship can display different cultural traits simultaneously. The coexistence of different cultural types is since organisational culture can be influenced by different factors, such as the nature of the work, the sector in which it operates, the objectives pursued, the hierarchical levels, among others.

A Practical, Adaptive, and Scalable Real-Time Control Approach for Stormwater Storage Systems

Traditionally, urban stormwater infrastructure systems consist of passive infrastructure that is not actively controlled in response to rainfall events. Recently, real-time control (RTC) has been considered as a means to significantly increase the capacity and lifespan of these systems. This paper introduces the target flow control systems (TFCS) approach, which can use real-time control of systems of storages to achieve the desired flow conditions at the locations of interest. The first distinctive feature of this approach is that it does not require calibration to catchment-specific data, unlike existing approaches. This means that the TFCS approach is generally applicable to different catchments and is able to respond to future changes in runoff due to land use and/or climate change. The second distinctive feature is that the approach only requires storage-level information measured in real time with the aid of low-cost pressure sensors. This means that the approach is practical and relatively easy to implement. In addition to the introduction of the novel TFCS approach, a key innovation of this study is that the approach is tested on three case studies, each with different physical configurations and stormwater management objectives. Another key innovation is that the TFCS approach is compared to five RTC approaches, including three of the best-performing advanced approaches from the literature. Comparisons of multiple RTC approaches that consider both performance and practicality across multiple case studies are rare. Results show that the TFCS approach is the only one of the five control approaches analysed that has both the best overall performance and the highest level of practicality. The outcomes highlight the potential of the TFCS approach as a practical RTC approach that is applicable to a wide range of catchments with different stormwater management objectives. By maximizing the performance of existing stormwater storages, the TFCS approach can potentially extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure and avoid costly upgrades due to increased runoff caused by land use and climate change.

Language Hierarchies, Liminality, and Resistance in Canadian and Finnish Integration Educations for Adult Migrants

This article explores the effects of language hierarchies within SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) national integration programmes and how discourses of civic integrationism framed around monolingualism and neoliberalism position adult migrant students in the liminal spaces between belonging and othering. Based on research findings obtained during multiple case study fieldwork in Finland and Canada, I examine the underlying norms and subtexts upon which practices of host language acquisition are founded. How students are positioned depends greatly on who serves as an arbiter over which expressions of linguistic diversity are deemed beneficial or obstructive to integration. Migrant liminality within integration educations could be debilitating while simultaneously fostering resistance in transgressing and reimagining essentialist integration policy and pedagogical goals, thus creating opportunities for transformation.

Designing Learning Centres that Facilitate Knowledge Construction on Science Process Skills in Early Childhood Classrooms

Science education is perceived to have the potential to develop 21st century competencies. In Zimbabwe, the teaching of science in early childhood by using learning centres is considered as a way of empowering young learners with scientific knowledge and skills to become productive citizens in future. To strengthen the initiative, resources are being channelled and policies crafted to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Despite considerable efforts to introduce STEM in early childhood development (ECD), research concerning the benefits of developing science skills using learning centres is sparse. This study adopted an interpretive paradigm and multiple case study design for three schools and three purposively selected ECD teachers. Data was solicited through semi-structured interviews, document analysis and classroom observations. The variable nature of learning centres in ECD classrooms is an indication of shortcomings in policy on teaching using learning centres. At learning centres, learners construct scientific knowledge, ideas and skills through interaction with peers and developmentally appropriate materials. Teachers should be creative and innovative and create learning centres that enable learners to explore the world and construct scientific knowledge through active participation and sharing ideas. A policy to guide the teachers on constructing appropriate learning centres for effective teaching of science skills should be drafted.

Supply chain strategies in a global context: a customer value-based perspective

ABSTRACT Customer value is influenced by several factors, which impose major challenges to global Supply Chains (SCs) and their management. This study aims to understand how companies tackle these challenges by focusing their global SC management on major strategies and supporting practices. Based on customer value theory, and recognising major trends affecting what end consumers value, we identify four global SC strategies: customer-driven, service-driven, resource-efficient, and closed-loop. A multiple case study carried out in eleven companies in the consumer goods industry explores the practices adopted per each SC strategy in managing global sourcing, production, and distribution networks. Results show the key requirement of selecting tailored practices for SC management that align with the context and the value expected by customers. Operational SC practices entail managing collaborative actions both up and downstream and competing with other SCs and can benefit from the implementation of appropriate digital technologies for customer value creation and delivery, as well as for continuous learning about customer needs.

Hybrid vs. in-person learning: The displacement of boundaries in customized executive programs

Business schools tailor Customized Executive Programs (CEPs) to address the specific needs of organizations. This paper illustrates how expanding knowledge boundaries during CEP delivery enhances a participant's learning. Through multiple case studies, we address the question of how trading zone boundaries are displaced during the delivery of CEPs. We compared five in-person and five hybrid CEPs from across Latin America and Europe, comprising different industries, to answer this inquiry. The data was analyzed using qualitative-mixed methods techniques. Our findings reveal that, paradoxically, when tension arises within CEP's delivery trading zone, interactive experiences, diverse cultures, and physical proximity improve adult learning. Our research contributes to the field of executive education by expanding theory and highlighting three in-person behaviors that virtual environments alone cannot replicate: engaging in a cognitive-affective dialectic for enriched learning, knowledge boundary displacement through interpersonal dynamics, and integration of cross-cultural diversity.

Metacognitive strategies in mathematical modelling: a case study with engineering students

During the last years, mathematical modelling has been entering the field of engineering education because it is a bridge between mathematics and industry that also promotes the development of skills that require the engineer of the twenty-first century. Nevertheless, the modelling process is involved and requires the deployment of cognitive skills of superior level, particularly metacognitive skills. This contribution presents the results of a multiple qualitative case study on metacognitive strategies used by groups of engineering students associated with each transition of the mathematical modelling process. During the development of the course, observations and retrospective interviews were carried out, which evidenced the use of metacognitive planning strategies from simplification to interpretation; metacognitive monitoring strategies throughout the modelling process, metacognitive regulation strategies from mathematization to mathematical work and metacognitive evaluation strategies during simplification, mathematization and validation. The results expand the classification framework of metacognitive strategies for engineering students.

Construct Clarity in Physician-Hospital Alignment: The Need for Precision in Definition, Measurement, and Management Comment on "Alignment in the Hospital-Physician Relationship: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study of Medical Specialist Enterprises in the Netherlands"

The study by Ubels and van Raaij highlights the importance of alignment in hospital-physician relationships and the challenges in understanding, measuring, and managing it. Despite extensive research on alignment, drawing precise conclusions about its nature, drivers, and outcomes is difficult due to construct clarity and construct validity issues. This commentary focuses on clarifying these issues and the problems they create for hospitals attempting to manage alignment, as well as for scientific inquiry in this area. These issues involve the need to specify more clearly the essential nature of alignment and how it is distinct from other constructs such as engagement. It also involves demarcating alignment from the structures, arrangements, or processes intended to foster it, as well as from its outcomes. Improved precision in these areas will enable the development of more reliable and valid measures, thereby supporting hypothesis testing, theory building, and the identification of best practices.

Principles of teacher professional development and digital lexicographical skills for designing in-service training modules

English as a foreign language teachers often use free access online bilingual dictionaries (FAOBD) to plan their lessons but rarely utilize these dictionaries as didactic resources. This paper outlines the design process, and theoretical foundations involved in designing an in-service teacher module, a byproduct of a multiple case study research, aimed at equipping tertiary EFL educators with the necessary conceptual and procedural knowledge to use these digital lexicographical tools. Data collected from a questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and an online course evaluation form, applied to a sample of four teachers from a Colombian university, revealed scant teacher training and institutional support, limited motivation to use FAOBDs among teachers and students, and a high incidence of look-up errors. These results underscored the need for the training module. Addressing users’ perspectives, teacher training needs, and leadership support is fundamental to optimizing FAOBD use through enhanced lexicographical skills development.

Patients' and health professionals' perspectives regarding shared decision making in the psychiatric inpatient setting – A multiple qualitative case study

ObjectiveShared decision-making is one promising approach to promoting recovery and person-centred care but seems challenging for implementation in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore how patients and health professionals experience shared decision-making and its facilitators and barriers. MethodsA multiple qualitative case study design was chosen, using a constant comparative method. Multiple data sources were used, including individual interviews, observation, document analysis and a focus group. ResultsThrough first a within-case analysis and then second a cross-case analysis, four patient profiles and their potential for shared decision-making were constructed. The results indicate that in the daily routine of the psychiatric inpatient setting different forms of decision making are used, even though health professionals advocate shared decision-making as the favored approach. Patients also have varying expectations and perceptions regarding shared decision-making, which is reflected in the degree of their involvement. ConclusionShared decision-making could be enhanced in the future by a more proactive communication style and the proactive provision of information on the part of health professionals, in order to enhance patient participation in decision-making. InnovationThe study identified different forms of decision-making within the acute psychiatric inpatient setting, highlighting the gap between the advocated SDM approach and its practical implementation. This divergence is a key aspect, as it underlines the complexity of implementing SDM in real clinical settings.

Targeted feedback for Indonesian-speaking classrooms in higher education context: A perspective from educators’ lens

In today's interconnected world, excellent communication is essential to develop relationships and cooperate with people from various cultural backgrounds. Therefore, individuals with strong speaking abilities can explain their views clearly, negotiate successfully, and develop rapport across borders. However, many students are still facing difficulties and anxiety in producing spoken context in English classrooms. In terms of speaking skills in the EFL context, targeted feedback is a sort of instruction that is particular and focused, given to an individual based on their performance, activities, or habits. In educational settings, it is intended to specifically address specific parts of an individual's work or skill development in a precise manner. This qualitative study that involved 10 lecturers at college levels aimed to reveal their perspectives on the targeted feedback for speaking proficiency. The multiple-case study was applied here to identify and analyze the issue in speaking classrooms. Focus Group Discussion was conducted as a research instrument and analyzed using verbatim techniques. Findings revealed teachers are still facing challenges, yet they are exploring good chances to nurture students’ speaking skills at the same time. Additionally, the perspectives also figured out the principles of targeted feedback practised by the lecturers in speaking classes.

Leadership in early childhood education: case studies of Indonesian public kindergartens

ABSTRACT Leadership studies in early childhood education (ECE) have increased throughout the world. However, there has been only a limited amount of research conducted on this topic in Southeast Asia. The purpose of the research reported in this article was to examine early childhood leadership at the kindergarten level in Indonesia. This is an exploratory study of multiple cases in Indonesia, involving semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The participants were interviewed online in four regions: the capital (Jakarta), the central part (Bali), the western part (North Sumatra) and the eastern part (South Sulawesi), an example of maximum variation sampling. There were 10 participants in each case study kindergarten, heads, teachers, teaching assistants, administrative assistants, parents and local education officers. The research shows that leadership of ECE in Indonesia is problematic, beginning with the selection process for principals, which is dominated by political considerations. Heads also appeared to be overburdened with administrative duties, such as managing budgets, updating teacher and student data, and managing assets. Therefore, they have less time to engage in other Leadership activities, such as professional leadership and parental involvement. The findings contribute to a better understanding of kindergarten leadership in Indonesia.

GLOBAL TRENDS IN CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

This research presents a comparative analysis of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) models for teachers in several countries, including Singapore, Finland, Japan, China (Shanghai), Australia, Canada (Ontario), Estonia, and the Netherlands. Employing a qualitative approach and multiple case study methodology, the research identifies key features and trends in CPD. The results indicate that effective CPD models are characterized by individualized approaches, emphasis on collaborative learning, and connections to research activities. Despite variations in implementation, all models recognize the critical role of continuous teacher development in improving educational quality. Innovative approaches are highlighted, such as the Japanese Lesson Study model, the teacher rotation system in Shanghai, and personal learning budgets in the Netherlands. The study underscores the importance of creating flexible, adaptive CPD systems capable of addressing global challenges, including the digitalization of education and the development of 21st-century skills. The research findings can serve as a foundation for improving CPD systems in Kazakhstan, taking into account their unique context for detailing and enhancing the Professional Standard “Teacher”.

Co-creation of value in a cultural organizations’ ecosystem

From the perspective of Service Dominant Logic (Vargo and Lusch 2018), this research analyzes how co-creation of value develops in a Peruvian cultural ecosystem through analyzing its actor’s engagement, embeddedness, and value-in-context. The findings obtained aim to contribute to the dialogue between S-D logic and Arts Marketing, and to put light on the mechanisms that activate and restrict cultural participation in a service ecosystem. The research consists of a multiple case study which analyzes the Peruvian Puntos de Cultura Network (PPDCN) through 9 of its organizations. Participants include organizational leaders, users, and Network central headquarters’ managers. The instruments were an exploratory survey, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. The analysis included codification, inter-rater reliability, ‘making-strange tool’ and a meta-matrix. Through the study of the co-creation of value in the PPDCN, findings revealed the following mechanisms for cultural participation: (1) Activation mechanisms: co-production between organizations and users; high leader engagement; cultural identity activities; educative, affective and entertainment-oriented activities. (2) Restriction mechanisms: different institutional logics at any level of interaction: organizations and Headquarters managers, organizations and socio-cultural environment, Headquarters managers and state actors; misalignment of platforms.