Abstract
Since the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, the growth in sustainability-related academic output has been exponential (see Belmonte-Ureña et al., 2021). Concepts such as circular economy, green growth, degrowth and sustainability transitions have increased currency on the media and renewed traction with regulators and communities worldwide. As the interest in sustainability permeates agendas, it becomes painstakingly clear that sustainability is a particularly complex topic for research and policy (Bartels & Wittmayer, 2018). It is plagued by conceptual tensions, interdependencies, ambiguities, policy design challenges and operational difficulties (Chaker et al., 2020). These characteristics make mixed methods research (MMR) especially suited to investigate sustainability (Kern et al., 2019). Yet, sustainability research still relies heavily on mono-methods, either quantitative or qualitative, which are not fully able to unravel the web of interdependencies underpinning sustainability challenges and solutions (Molina-Azorín & López-Gamero, 2016; Molina-Azorín & Fetters, 2019). Hansmeier and colleagues, for instance, observe that ‘mixed methods research, although less commonly used [than mono-methods], offers promising prospects for sustainability transition studies’ (2021, 172).
‘Sustainability and Small and Medium Enterprises: Lessons from Mixed Methods Research’ is an edited book by Aharon Factor and John Parm Ulhøi that dives into the contradiction pointed out in the previous paragraph: More MMR is needed to further a holistic understanding of sustainability in businesses (e.g. Vazquez-Brust et al., 2009), but MMR is still the least common approach to sustainability research (Hansmeier et al., 2021). The book aims to help close this gap and shed a light on the challenges and opportunities of MMR for sustainability. It contends that the marginal use of MMR to investigate sustainability challenges is even more noticeable in one of the research areas where it is most needed, sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Accordingly, the authors make a compelling case for stimulating the interest of the MMR community in this topic.
The book is structured into three parts. Part One ‘Sustainability, SMEs and mixed methods’ encompasses three seamlessly concatenated chapters written by Factor and Ulhøi, with Norma Romm as co-author in the first two. These chapters provide the conceptual foundations of the book through critical reviews of literature. Chapter 1 discusses the multiplicity of competing concepts and debates in sustainability. Chapter 2 reviews the literature in sustainability and SMEs. Chapter 3 discusses the methods used by researchers in sustainability and SMEs, noting that in the last decade only 17% of empirical studies used mixed methods. All three chapters provide a well-supported overview of conceptual and empirical gaps. When taken together, they articulate a succinct agenda and research questions that could potentially be addressed with MMR, hopefully motivating JMMR scholarly audience to engage.
The second part of the book, ‘Mixed methods in sustainability SME research: A global outlook’, includes 6 chapters in which different author/s – all of them experienced in using MMR to investigate SMEs and sustainability – reflect on their experiences. The broader range of authorship brings new perspectives and knowledge, at the cost of a less cohesive whole, as inevitably some reflections and experiences overlap or bring contradictory lenses. Some of the authors are pioneers in the use of MMR for SMEs and sustainability, while others are emerging scholars or newcomers to the topic. Together they provide a lively account of opportunities and perceived challenges, ranging from methodological, to conceptual to professional development aspects. Particularly enjoyable is Chapter 9 ‘ Exploring differences in perspectives regarding mixed methods and transdisciplinary research’ which transcribes a candid dialogue between Norma Romm and Ralph Hamman. Over and above its remarkable conceptual interest and scholarly depth, the chapter highlights how a dialogic approach brings fluidity and spontaneity to the analysis of complex topics. This part of the book will appeal to seasoned MMR scholars that have experienced similar challenges to those described in the chapters, while less experienced researchers will be privy to a palette of strategies used by colleagues conducting high-quality and impactful MMR. On the minus side, part 2 does not have the razor-sharp focus of the first part, and it is not a global overview. Non-European, non-Anglo-Saxon voices are scarce, especially from Asia and Latin America, where mixed method research has long been applied to explore sustainability.
The third part of the book is ‘Added value, challenges and practical relevance of applying mixed methods in research on sustainability and SMEs’. As the title hints, part three has a somehow miscellaneous approach in its 4 chapters. Chapter 10 analyses how papers using MMR can advance analytical depth and inference quality. Chapter 11 outlines strategies to address a critical methodological challenge: how to achieve integration of diverse methods. These two chapters are written by leading scholars in MMR and will resonate with MMR researchers in the early stages of their careers. The overall message the book suggests is that lessons from research in management topics and large companies cannot be acritically translated to study sustainability in SMEs. The importance of targeted approaches is central to Chapter 12 which looks at the value added by MMR to solve practical problems faced by sustainability practitioners. Here, a conversation with Ruth Hilary is another demonstration of the engaging power of dialogic forms. Chapter 13, written by Dr. Factor and Professor Ulhøi ends the book on a high note with an insightful analysis of lessons learnt and emerging themes for the application of MMR to study sustainability in SMEs.
Overall, this is a very good book that merits purchasing and provides plenty of value and insights for mixed methods researchers when considered as a whole. Readers’ experience could have been enhanced with an introduction to the contents of each part, and perhaps a conceptual framework or reflection on the perspective underpinning the book structure. Finally, it should be noted that the book is largely focused on environmental sustainability. Future editions could add a broader sustainability perspective. A realigning of the book following the UN’s 17 SDG could provide a more holistic approach to examine the contribution of MMR.
