Case Studies and Organizational Innovation

Abstract

This article identifies the methodological characteristics of high-qualuy case studies, when case studies are used as a research tool. The findings are based on an analysis of 53 case studies of organizational innovation, which identified the characteristics leading to high global ratings of the cases. The findings suggest that investigators doing case study research in the future should delineate five components of their studies: problem definition, research design, data collection, data analysis, and report presentation. Second, an important consideration is whether the research is aimed at contributing to knowledge about practice or about theory, as different characteristics appear related to these outcomes. Finally, among all the characteristics, the definition of the innovation process being studied, in clear operational terms, appears to be related to high-quality case studies, regardless of their purpose.

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