While grounded theory involves many iterations between concept-building and concept-testing, the overall direction of analysis proceeds from loosely related concepts to tightly interrelated theoretical systems. Such a ‘bottom-up’ logic of analysis may lead to a number of problems, for example descriptiveness or missing out on large-scale general patterns. This paper proposes to alleviate these problems by adopting a ‘top-down’ methodological strategy. Such a strategy begins from highlighting the most general patterns in the data. With each step of analysis the patterns are gradually broken down into more specific models. Through this process the gap between the generality of concepts and the specificity of data is reduced, eventually resulting in a middle-range theory. The historical narrative of the construction of a Soviet Estonian personal computer, Juku, is used to demonstrate the strategy in practice.
BeckerPH (1993) Common pitfalls in published grounded theory research. Qualitative Health Research3(2): 254–60.
2.
BlaikieN (2009) Designing Social Reseach, 2nd edn.Cambridge and Malden, MA: Polity Press.
3.
BuckleyACWaringMJ (2013) Using diagrams to support research process: Examples from grounded theory. Qualitative Research13(2): 148–72.
4.
CharmazK (2006) Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. London: Sage.
5.
EKTA [Special Construction Bureau of Computing Technology of the Institute of Cybernetics] (1987) Mikroarvuti Juku/Микро-ЕВМ Юку [Microcomputer Juku]. Tallinn: Valgus.
6.
GeelsFW (2002) Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: A multi-level perspective and a case-study. Research Policy31(8/9): 1257–74.
GlaserBGStraussAL (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Chicago, IL: Aldine.
9.
GreenJThorogoodN (2004) Qualitative Methods for Health Research. London: Sage.
10.
HeathHCowleyS (2004) Developing a grounded theory approach: A comparison of Glaser and Strauss. International Journal of Nursing Studies41(2): 141–50.
11.
HedströmP (2005) Dissecting the Social: On the Principles of Analytical Sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
12.
HekkertMPNegroSO (2009) Functions of innovation systems as a framework to understand sustainable technological change: Empirical evidence for earlier claims. Technological Forecasting & Social Change76(4): 584–94.
McCannTVClarkE (2003) Grounded theory in nursing research: Part 2 – critique. Nurse Researcher11(2): 19–28.
18.
MillerDE (2000) Mathematical dimensions of qualitative research. Symbolic Interaction23(4): 399–402.
19.
O’ReillyMParkerN (2012) ‘Unsatisfactory saturation’: A critical exploration of the notion of saturated sample sizes in qualitative research. Qualitative Research13(2): 190–97.
20.
PettigrewAM (1990) Longitudinal field research on change: Theory and practice. Organization Science1(3): 267–92.
21.
RussellSWilliamsR (2002) Social shaping of technology: Frameworks, findings and implications for policy. In: SørensenKHWilliamsR (eds) Shaping Technology, Guiding Policy: Concepts, Spaces and Tools. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 37–132.
22.
SeldénL (2005) On grounded theory – with some malice. Journal of Documentation61(1): 114–29.
23.
StraussALCorbinJ (1998) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
24.
SuarezFFOlivaR (2005) Environmental change and organizational transformation. Industrial and Corporate Change14(6): 1017–41.
25.
SuddabyR (2006) From the editors: What grounded theory is not. Academy of Management Review49(4): 633–42.
26.
WassermanJAClairJMWilsonKM (2009) Problematics of grounded theory: Innovations for developing an increasingly rigorous qualitative method. Qualitative Research9(3): 355–81.
27.
WilliamsSKeadyJ (2012) Centre stage diagrams: A new method to develop constructivist grounded theory – late-stage Parkinson’s disease as a case exemplar. Qualitative Research12(2): 218–38.
28.
WilsonHSHutchinsonSA (1996) Methodologic mistakes in grounded theory. Nursing Research45(2): 122–4.
29.
WrayNMarkovicMMandersonL (2007) ‘Researcher saturation’: The impact of data triangulation and intensive-research practices on the researcher and qualitative research process. Qualitative Health Research17(10): 1392–1402.
