Abstract
Ten years ago, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki, and Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011) constructed a typology of theorizing from case studies based on the trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization. The typology consists of four methods of theorizing – interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, inductive theory-building, and natural experiment. While Welch et al.’s work to enrich case study theorizing is commendable, the alleged trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization does not in fact exist and the classification dimension of causal explanation fails to reflect the actual practice of case researchers. I propose an alternative typology that includes theory development as a new dimension in place of causal explanation. The four revised methods of theorizing thus become interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, identification of empirical regularities and theory building and testing. The alternative typology contributes to a more pluralistic methodological approach to guide case researchers.
Résumé
Il y a dix ans, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki et Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011) ont construit une typologie des théorisations à partir des études de cas, laquelle se fonde sur le compromis entre l’explication causale et la contextualisation. La typologie se compose de quatre méthodes de théorisation - l’attribution de sens interprétative, l'explication contextualisée, la construction inductive de la théorie et l'expérimentation naturelle. Alors que l’œuvre de Welch et ses collègues destinée à enrichir la théorisation basée sur les études de cas est louable, le compromis supposé entre l'explication causale et la contextualisation n'existe pas en réalité, et la dimension de classification - explication causale - ne reflète pas la pratique réelle des chercheurs travaillant sur les cas. Je propose une typologie alternative qui inclut le développement de la théorie comme une nouvelle dimension à la place de l'explication causale. Les quatre méthodes révisées de théorisation deviennent ainsi l’attribution de sens interprétative, l'explication contextualisée, l'identification des régularités empiriques et la construction et la vérification de la théorie. La typologie alternative contribue à une approche méthodologique plus pluraliste pour guider les chercheurs menant les études de cas.
Resumen
Hace diez años, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki y Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011) construyeron una tipología para teorizar partiendo de estudios de casos basado en llegar a un equilibro entre la explicación causal y la contextualización. La tipología consiste en cuatro métodos de teorización: la creación sentido interpretativo, la explicación contextualizada, la construcción de teoría inductiva y el experimento natural. Mientras que el trabajo de Welch y sus colaboradores para enriquecer la teorización de los estudios de caso es loable, el presunto equilibrio entre la explicación causal y la contextualización no existe de hecho y la dimensión de clasificación de la explicación causal fracasa en reflejar la práctica actual de los investigadores de casos. Propongo una tipología alternativa que incluye el desarrollo teórico como una nueva dimensión en lugar de la explicación causal. Los cuatro métodos revisados de teorización pasan a ser la creación de sensaciones interpretativas, la explicación contextualizada, la identificación de regularidades empíricas y la construcción y el poner a prueba la teoría. La tipología alternativa contribuye a un enfoque metodológico más pluralista para orientar a los investigadores de casos.
Resumo
Dez anos atrás, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki e Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011) construíram uma tipologia de teorização a partir de estudos de caso baseada no trade-off entre explicação causal e contextualização. A tipologia consiste em quatro métodos de teorização - construção de sentido interpretativa, explicação contextualizada, construção de teoria indutiva e experimento natural. Embora o trabalho de Welch et al. para enriquecer a teorização de estudo de caso seja louvável, o alegado trade-off entre a explicação causal e a contextualização de fato inexiste e a dimensão de classificação de explicação causal falha em refletir a prática atual de pesquisadores de caso. Proponho uma tipologia alternativa que inclui o desenvolvimento de teoria como uma nova dimensão no lugar da explicação causal. Os quatro métodos revisados de teorização, portanto, tornam-se construção de sentido interpretativa, explicação contextualizada, identificação de regularidades empíricas e construção e teste de teoria. A tipologia alternativa contribui para uma abordagem metodológica mais pluralista para orientar os pesquisadores de caso.
摘要
十年前, Welch、Piekkari、Plakoyiannaki 和 Paavilainen-Mäntymäki (2011 年) 基于因果解释和情境化之间的权衡, 构建了从案例研究建立理论的类型学。该类型学包括四种理论化方法——阐释性意义建构、情境化解释、归纳理论建设和自然实验。 虽然 Welch 等人为丰富案例研究理论化所做的工作值得称赞, 但所谓的因果解释和情境化之间的权衡实际上并不存在, 且因果解释的分类维度未能反映案例研究人员的实际实践。 我提出一种替代类型学, 其中包括将理论发展作为替代因果解释的新维度。 四种修正的理论化方法因此成为阐释性意义建构、情境化解释、实证规律识别以及理论构建和检验。 该替代类型学有助于采用更多元的方法论途径来指导案例研究人员。
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Accepted by Alain Verbeke, Editor-in-Chief, 04 August 2021. This paper was single-blind reviewed.
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Tsang, E.W.K. Alternative typologies of case study theorizing: Causal explanation versus theory development as a classification dimension. J Int Bus Stud 53, 53–63 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00477-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00477-4