In search of theory? The workplace case study tradition in the 21st century

Patrick McGovern

Industrial Relations Journal, 2020, vol. 51, issue 3, 136-152

Abstract: Workplace case studies have been valued by some for their ability to advance theory while others dismiss them as little more than descriptive stories. This paper presents a detailed content analysis of case study articles to assess the relative balance between theory, conceptual analysis and description. Drawing on a random sample of papers (n = 173) published in leading journals, I find that fewer than one in seven are descriptive papers while only one in ten are theory oriented. Using three criteria, I identify exemplars of theoretical and conceptual analysis and show how these may be used to advance the field.

Date: 2020
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https://doi.org/10.1111/irj.12285

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:indrel:v:51:y:2020:i:3:p:136-152

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