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Use and misuse of qualitative comparative analysis

Author

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  • Elizabeth Jordan
  • Martha Gross
  • Amy Javernick-Will
  • Michael Garvin

Abstract

Research in construction is often confronted with a trade-off of selecting either in-depth studies of small-N cases, which may affect generalization of findings, or statistical large-N studies, which may limit examination of causal links. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) provides a middle ground between these options, allowing researchers to analytically determine different combinations of conditions that produce an outcome in comparative studies. QCA has been applied extensively in other fields; however, the method has only recently started to gain traction in construction research. Guidance on the implementation of QCA is provided, including: a description of the method and its variants; stages required for its application; its benefits and critiques; applications in the construction field; and recommendations for scholars employing the method. QCA is a promising approach for probing causal links via investigations between variable-based, large-N analyses and qualitative, case-based, small-N studies. However, researchers must not use the method in haste or simply to obtain quantitative results from qualitative data. It requires significant time and rigour to determine and justify the conditions, outcomes and cases used in its application. QCA is well suited for research where interactions between conditions and outcomes are not well understood and can be used to build theory in the complex environment of construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Jordan & Martha Gross & Amy Javernick-Will & Michael Garvin, 2011. "Use and misuse of qualitative comparative analysis," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(11), pages 1159-1173.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:29:y:2011:i:11:p:1159-1173
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2011.640339
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    1. Yuliani, E.L. & de Groot, W.T. & Knippenberg, Luuk & Bakara, D.O., 2020. "Forest or oil palm plantation? Interpretation of local responses to the oil palm promises in Kalimantan, Indonesia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    2. Rhys Andrews & Malcolm J. Beynon, 2019. "Configurational Analysis of Access to Basic Infrastructure Services: Evidence from Turkish Provinces," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(5), pages 1341-1370, December.
    3. De Villiers, R. & Tipgomut, P., 2018. "Reviewing the marketing theory adoption journey for studies using QCA as a methodological approach: Insights, gaps and agenda for future research," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 317-337.
    4. An, Yehyun & Garvin, Michael J. & Hall, Ralph P., 2017. "Pathways to Better Project Delivery: The Link Between Capacity Factors and Urban Infrastructure Projects in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 393-405.
    5. Gibrán Cruz-Martínez, 2021. "Mapping Welfare State Development in (post) Neoliberal Latin America," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(1), pages 175-201, August.
    6. , Aisdl, 2021. "Recipes for a Successful Exit for Clean- and Hard-tech Startups," OSF Preprints k3vey, Center for Open Science.
    7. Elizabeth Jordan & Amy Javernick-Will & Kathleen Tierney, 2016. "Post-tsunami recovery in Tamil Nadu, India: combined social and infrastructural outcomes," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 84(2), pages 1327-1347, November.
    8. Iyer K. Chandrashekhar & Banerjee Partha S., 2019. "Identifying New Knowledge Areas to Strengthen the Project Management Institute (Pmi) Framework," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 1892-1903, March.
    9. Shaye Palagi & Amy Javernick-Will, 2020. "Pathways to Livable Relocation Settlements Following Disaster," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-25, April.
    10. Liesbet Olaerts & Jeffrey P. Walters & Karl G. Linden & Amy Javernick-Will & Adam Harvey, 2019. "Factors Influencing Revenue Collection for Preventative Maintenance of Community Water Systems: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-15, July.
    11. Shin, Hoon C. & Yu, David J. & Park, Samuel & Anderies, John M. & Abbott, Joshua K. & Janssen, Marco A. & Ahn, T.K., 2020. "How do resource mobility and group size affect institutional arrangements for rule enforcement? A qualitative comparative analysis of fishing groups in South Korea," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    12. Yujie Lu & Fangxin Yi & Shaocong Yu & Yangtian Feng & Yujuan Wang, 2022. "Pathways to Sustainable Deployment of Solar Photovoltaic Policies in 20 Leading Countries Using a Qualitative Comparative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    13. H. Trollman & J. A. Colwill, 2020. "A Transformational Change Framework for Developing Ecologically Embedded Manufacturing," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 21(4), pages 341-368, December.
    14. Chao Yang & Xianyin Meng, 2023. "A Fuzzy-Set Configurational Examination of Governance Capability under Certainty and Uncertainty Conditions: Evidence from the Chinese Provincial Cases of Early COVID-19 Containing Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, February.
    15. Yoruk, Deniz E. & Bunduchi, Raluca & Yoruk, Esin & Crișan-Mitra, Catalina & Salanță, Irina-Iulia & Crișan, Emil Lucian, 2021. "Pathways to innovation in Romanian software SMEs: Exploring the impact of interdependencies between internationalisation and knowledge sources," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(4).
    16. Invernizzi, Diletta Colette & Locatelli, Giorgio & Brookes, Naomi & Davis, Allison, 2020. "Qualitative comparative analysis as a method for project studies: The case of energy infrastructure," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    17. Rossi, Federica & Sengupta, Abhijit, 2022. "Implementing strategic changes in universities’ knowledge exchange profiles: The role and nature of managerial interventions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 874-887.

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