Chapter 3: Principles of research Chapter 4: Theory-testing research general

i.e. manipulation of aspects of the object of study is not possible which is often true in business research.

1.3.5 Chapters 5–7: Theory-testing case study research

In Chapters 5–7, we discuss in detail the different types of theory- testing case studies: first we describe how to design and conduct a case study for testing a sufficient or necessary condition Chapter 5, then for testing a deterministic relation Chapter 6, and finally for testing a probabilistic relation Chapter 7. In each chapter, we first discuss “how to do” such a case study. Next we provide one or two examples of such a case study. These examples are intentionally not selected because they are “exemplary”. On the contrary, the examples are actual case studies and as such provide a realistic picture of what is involved in conducting such a theory-testing case study. After each example of a case study we add a “methodological reflection” in which we discuss the contingencies with which the study in the example had to deal, as well as the resulting methodological limitations. This emphasizes our conviction that designing and conducting a research project is not the execution of a protocol but rather a process in which a researcher makes trade-offs all the time.

1.3.6 Chapters 8–9: Theory-building research

In Chapter 8 we discuss theory-building research in general, and in Chapter 9 the theory-building case study aimed at the “discovery” and formulation of new propositions. As in Chapters 5–7, we first discuss “how to do” such a case study, followed by an example and a method- ological reflection.

1.3.7 Chapters 10–11: Practice-oriented research

We conclude this book with two chapters on practice-oriented research. After a discussion in Chapter 10 on practice-oriented research in general, we discuss practice-oriented case study research in Chapter 11. As in Chapters 5–7, we first discuss “how to do” such a case study, followed by an example and a methodological reflection. 10 This book can be read from the beginning to the end. However, it is also possible to read the book in another sequence, or to select for reading some specific topics of interest. Below we give suggestions to readers who are interested in specific topics, and readers such as stu- dents who want to use the book as a textbook for designing and con- ducting a research project.

1.4.1 Reading specific topics

Table 1.3 refers to specific topics that can be read separately from other parts of the book. Table 1.3 Suggestions for reading specific topics Topic Chapter Principles of research in general not only case study research 3, 4, 8, 10 Overview of the authors’ main ideas on case study research 1, 4 Literature review of case studies in business research 2 Case studies for theory-testing 5, 6, 7 Case studies for theory-building 9 Case studies for practice-oriented research 11 “How to” design and conduct case study research 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1, 11.1 Examples of case study research 5.2, 5.4, 6.2, 7.2, 9.2, 11.2, 11.4 Methodological reflections on the examples of case study research 5.3, 5.5, 6.3, 7.3, 9.3, 11.3, 11.5

1.4 How to read this book

1.4.2 Suggestions for students

This book provides guidance for designing and conducting a case study. In Flowchart 1 all flowcharts are presented additionally in Appendix 3 we present a stepwise approach for the process of design- ing and conducting research in general, from the formulation of the first ideas about a research topic to the final reporting of its results. In this stepwise approach, three phases can be distinguished: ■ preparation phase – steps 1, 2, 3; ■ research phase – steps 4, 5, 6, 7; ■ implications and report phase: steps 8, 9.