 Qualitative research in SMEs and entrepreneurship: a literature review of case study researchPanagiotis Piperopoulos International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2010, vol. 2, issue 6, 494-510 Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to shed more light on the value of qualitative research methods as a heuristic research tool that could provide a better understanding of the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the basic/key role played by the owner/manager/entrepreneur in the competitiveness and performance of the SME. It provides a literature review about the use, types, advantages and disadvantages and rigour achieved from case study research. It presents guidelines of how to generate theories from practice and embark on in-depth qualitative research while it highlights possible difficulties and drawbacks that may be encountered. Some thoughts are finally brought forth relating to the application of qualitative research in these management disciplines, in order to get business/management research out of its current profound state of unconsciousness. Keywords: case studies; entrepreneurship; qualitative research; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; heuristic research methods; owners; managers; entrepreneurs; competitiveness; company performance; theory generation; research guidelines; economics; business research; literature review. (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:2:y:2010:i:6:p:494-510 Access Statistics for this article More articles in International Journal of Economics and Business Research from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd |
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