Implications for the theory

necessary condition for B, or b that something is wrong with the domain that was specified in the theory i.e. A may be a sufficient or a necessary condition for B in other instances of the domain. The researcher must try to explain the result of the test on the basis of other information about the case. This information may help to develop an improved version of the original proposition or of the spec- ification of the boundaries of its domain. If the hypothesis is rejected in the first test, then the researcher can interpret the rejection as meaning that the proposition is not correct. Such a conclusion cannot be drawn lightly, presuming that the explo- ration at the beginning of the research was conducted seriously and that, thus, the proposition that was formulated and tested was based on sound practical and theoretical insights. However, if it is decided that the proposition should be changed, then the reformulated proposi- tion needs to be tested in new theory-testing research.

5.1.9 Replication strategy

Any rejection or confirmation of a hypothesis needs to be replicated in further tests. If the hypothesis was tested for the first time, we recom- mend a strategy of replication in which the same proposition is tested again in similar cases. If the hypothesis is confirmed in such replica- tions, then it can be concluded that the proposition is supported for at least a part of the domain. Before continuing with further replications in less similar cases, in order to determine whether the proposition holds also in other parts of the domain, we recommend with necessary conditions first to conduct a test for trivialness. A necessary condition is trivial if there is no variation in either the dependent or the independent concept, or in both. An example is a proposition that states that globalization is a necessary condition for the success of off-shoring projects, which is trivial because globaliza- tion is present for all off-shoring projects, both unsuccessful and suc- cessful ones. A simple way of testing for trivialness consists of selecting a case in a different manner from that used in earlier tests. If initial tests were conducted in cases that were selected on the basis of the pres- ence of the dependent concept, a next case should be selected on the basis of the absence of the independent concept or the reverse. In our example, it would immediately become clear that no off-shoring projects without globalization could be found. After having found initial support for the proposition and, in case of necessary conditions, having found that it is not trivial, we recommend a replication strategy to test the proposition in instances that are “less simi- lar”. The replication strategy in such a further series of tests depends on the outcome of each test. If the proposition is supported again and again, then we recommend a replication strategy in instances in which confirmation of the hypothesis is increasingly “less likely”. If the proposition is not supported in a number of instances, and researchers think that the proposition itself is correct, though only for a more limited domain, then a replication in “most likely” cases is rec- ommended. The contrast between an instance in which the propos- ition is confirmed and one in which it is not might indicate the boundary of the domain to which the proposition applies. The number of replications is virtually unlimited. A theory can always be developed further. The only limitations are practical, such as resource constraints. Box 11 An example of a theory-testing single case study Sarker and Lee 2002 tested three “theories-in-use” of business process redesign using what they call “a positivist case study”. These three theories are the technocentric TC, the sociocentric SC, and the sociotechnical ST theories of redesign. Based on the literature, they formulated statements for each of these three theories in which their core beliefs regarding effective business process redesign are expressed: TC statement 1: Effective business process redesign can occur only if the redesigning is IT-driven. TC statement 2: Successful design and installation of enabling IT guarantees the effectiveness of business process redesign and the effectiveness of the implementation of redesigned business processes. SC statement 1: Effective redesign of processes can be accomplished only if the redesign is driven by leadership’s vision regarding the reengineered processes. SC statement 2: Effective redesign of processes can be accomplished only if a balanced team undertakes redesign. ST statement 1: Effective redesign of processes can be accomplished only if an understanding of both the IT and the business processes within the social context is used during redesign. ST statement 2: Effective redesign of a process can occur only if the redesigners seek to enhance the functional coupling in the business process through the use of technological as well as social enablers. Five of these statements namely TC1, SC1, SC2, ST1, and ST2 express a necessary con- dition. One statement TC2 expresses a sufficient condition. These statements were tested in a single instance of successful business process redesign.