South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases

South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases (SAJBMC) is a peer-reviewed, tri-annual journal of the Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida (India). The journal aims to provide a space for high-quality Qualitative Case Study Research (QCSR), thus all qualitative studies that follow Case Methodology shall be considered. Within QCSR we consider the five types of manuscript, these include Phenomenon-based, Phenomenon Extension, Theory Building, Review studies suggesting future opportunities for doing QCSR and Methodological studies that either inform how to do QCSR or extend ways of doing QCSR. A brief description of each of these can be found in the Aims and Scope.
 
Publication of Hypothetical and Survey Driven Research, do not fall under the domain of BMC. The journal strictly does not accept Teaching Cases.

SAJBMC accepts only qualitative case study research

Qualitative Case Study Research

Case study research is primarily known to be a part of the qualitative methodologies, although, that isn’t necessarily always the case. This Journal however, aims to publish only qualitative case study research hence, Case Research, that are built on quantitative data collection and analysis also fall out of its scope.

To define the scope of qualitative case study research for this journal we draw from the works of six prominent advocates of the qualitative case study research. These include (in alphabetical order), Ann Langley, Dennis Gioia, Kathleen Eisenhardt, Robert Stake, Robert Yin, and Sharon Merriam.

Hence, for us, qualitative case study research is:

“answering ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions in the study of a contemporary phenomenon, bounded in a real-life context, and anchored in previous theory(ies). Where the unit of data should be purposefully and/or theoretically selected and captured with in-depth insights of the complexities involved. Further, the analysis of the data should be done inductively with one of the two purposes – extend current knowledge on the phenomenon and theory or generate new knowledge on the phenomenon and building new theory”.

Why Qualitative Case Study Research Only

A qualitative method such as Case Study advances the understanding of the phenomenon by asking question like How, What and Why and follows qualitative process of enquiry. Using naturalistic data with rich description, and explanatory framework with theoretical anchoring deepens understanding of complex phenomenon. To support this in-depth inquiry, subject recruitment is done by purposive and or theoretical sampling. Data collection, and interpretation typically occur simultaneously. As data are collected, analysis begins with a process of coding in which the researcher identifies and names the theoretical concepts that appear in the data. Preliminary analysis of data gathered from early subjects informs recruitment and data collection for later subjects with whom emerging concepts are probed more fully. Concepts are examined for inter-relationships and assembled into a theoretical framework that advances understanding of the phenomenon.

For such a study the approach of theoretical anchoring is to show the limits of the theory where it fails to explain the phenomenon. This is done by drawing the boundary of the context very carefully. Once the boundaries are found, the new understanding about either the phenomenon or the theory or both can emerge once the limits are crossed. For example, the competitiveness of a multispecialty hospital has been studied by many researchers. Adding another study to that will not generate new knowledge. But once the environment is described as highly dynamic, the scenario changes. The researcher then focuses on the agility or resilience dimensions of the competitiveness and lands in a territory that is sparsely researched. New understanding and hence contribution may emerge.

With the possibility of generating new knowledge, a qualitative case study research not only increases the contribution of the research but also enhances the potential of citation – a much desired feature for a case research journal.

Developing Research Questions for Qualitative Case Study Research

As stated in the definition, the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions are not questions that study causal relationships between variables. Instead they pertain to ‘issue based’ questions. What do we mean by issue based questions for qualitative case study research is stated here.

So, when should you use a case study approach?

Like any other research, it is important to ensure whether Qualitative Case Study Research is the appropriate strategy for the study being undertaking. Hence, before going forward with the study, the author should establish the rationale behind taking this approach. Further, one can consider whether to opt for with single-case study approach of multiple-case study approach. The guidelines to provide rationale about the case study approach can be found here.

Components of Qualitative Case Study Research

There are three components in the qualitative case study research which should clearly be explained in the manuscript. These are ‘Phenomenon’, ‘Context’ and ‘Theoretical Anchoring’. The meaning, relevance and confluence of the three can be found here

Data Capturing, Data Analysis and Rigour

Researchers have provided different ways of capturing and analyzing data for a qualitative case study research; however, we advocate in-depth interviews for data capturing and the use of Gioia Methodology for data analysis. Nonetheless, one may use different qualitative analysis process that can show rigour of research process. The link to the paper by Gioia, Corley and Hamilton (2012) is given here to understand the process of data capturing and analysis:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258174099

Please note that the choice of the method depends on the philosophical underpinning of the researcher (positivist, interpretivist or constructivist). In our journal we consider manuscripts that are built on interpretivist and constructive grounding. Hence, although, we advocate Gioia Method for analysis, we also encourage the authors to use Constructivist Grounded Theory, Phenomenology, Narrative Analysis, Thematic Analysis or Qualitative Content Analysis as their data analysis strategy. It is imperative to remember, that the research design should be qualitative case study research, however, analysis can be chosen based on the need of the study. Qualitative case study research provides this flexibility.

Ensuring Quality

Many researchers have, discussed about quality parameters in Qualitative Case Study Research. However, for the sake of simplicity and rigour at the same time, we draw from the works of Sharon Merriam and Robert Stake as discussed here.

Structure of a Qualitative Case Study Research

Although the structure of a qualitative case study research is similar to that of other qualitative research manuscripts, however, the need to of context and theory expansion/building requires key elements to be included in the structure. Hence, thoroughly go through the structure and checklist here.

SAJBMC aspires to be known as a qualitative case focused research journal which

1. Publishes ORIGINAL qualitative case study researches preferably from South Asia
2. Selects cases that clearly bifurcate between PHENOMENON, CONTEXT and THEORETICAL ANCHORING but written at the confluence of these three.
3. Reviews cases with an approach to IMPROVE rather than to reject
4. Provides SUPPORT to understand Qualitative Case Study Research
5. Responds QUICKLY: Revolving Door Desk review within 5-6 weeks and Transparent Peer review within 5-6 months
In short, SAJBMC is a bouquet of qualitative cases study researches primarily from South Asia. However, we do accept cases globally.

The preferred manuscripts

As we expand the scope of the Journal we expect consider following 5 types of manuscripts
1) Phenomenon bases QCSR
2) Phenomenon Extension QCSR
3) Theory Extension or Theory Building QCSR
4) Review articles that provide avenues for future QCSR
5) Methodological articles that explains the process of QCSR or extends the methodology of conducting QCSR
Further elaboration of the types of preferred manuscripts can be found here.

For the first three types of manuscript please ensure the following:
• Cases studying CONTEMPORARY phenomenon in SPECIFIC context
• NOT written with more than two-year-old issues/data

We also look forward to process studies as developed by Ann Langley

Some of the paper that will be provide significant insights in developing a high quality case study research are:

Siggelkow, N. (2007). Persuasion with case studies. Academy of management journal, 50(1), 20-24.

Pratt, M. G. (2009). From the editors: For the lack of a boilerplate: Tips on writing up (and reviewing) qualitative research. Academy of management journal, 52(5), 856-862.

Gehman, J., Glaser, V. L., Eisenhardt, K. M., Gioia, D., Langley, A., & Corley, K. G. (2018). Finding theory–method fit: A comparison of three qualitative approaches to theory building. Journal of Management Inquiry, 27(3), 284-300.

Cunliffe, A. L., & Alcadipani, R. (2016). The politics of access in fieldwork: Immersion, backstage dramas, and deception. Organizational research methods, 19(4), 535-561.

Cloutier, C., & Langley, A. (2020). What makes a process theoretical contribution?. Organization Theory, 1(1), 2631787720902473.

Langley, A. N. N., Smallman, C., Tsoukas, H., & Van de Ven, A. H. (2013). Process studies of change in organization and management: Unveiling temporality, activity, and flow. Academy of management journal, 56(1), 1-13.

Houghton, Catherine, Dympna Casey, David Shaw, and Kathy Murphy. "Rigour in qualitative case-study research." Nurse researcher 20, no. 4 (2013).

Boblin, S. L., Ireland, S., Kirkpatrick, H., & Robertson, K. (2013). Using Stake’s qualitative case study approach to explore implementation of evidence-based practice. Qualitative health research, 23(9), 1267-1275.

Harrison, H., Birks, M., Franklin, R., & Mills, J. (2017, January). Case study research: Foundations and methodological orientations. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 18, No. 1).

Cases will be denied for publication if they

· Are NOT qualitative case study research

· Do NOT study a recent phenomenon of interest

· Selected phenomenon is a part of MBA course (Research topics should be beyond MBA courses).

· Do NOT have theoretical contributions

· ONLY describes the context. Provides answers to ‘What?’. Does not raise ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ issue based questions. The research questions formulated based on the outcome of ‘What?’ tend to be shallow and may NOT be researchable.

· Are written with more than two-year-old issues/data

· Are HYPOTHESIS based empirical researches

· Are TEACHING cases

· Situation is FICTITIOUS

· Written in an autobiographical mode highlighting a person living or dead

You may like to check the editorial to better understand, if you are on the right path

Seminal Case Study Research

Historically, case study research was not prevalently used. However, some famous studies, which changed the course of organizational studies, were primarily case study research. Please note that these are not qualitative case study research however, they clearly show how confluence of context and phenomenon to develop theory. You can read the brief about these studies here.

Recipe for desk rejection

Despite availability of plethora of literature on writing qualitative case study research, we have seen that most cases submitted to the Journal face desk rejection. Although, we have a policy to Improve over Reject, many manuscripts that are submitted to do fulfill the minimum quality parameter. Detailed pointers explaining the common reasons for desk rejection are provided here.

Abhishek, P., & Pratap, M. (2020). Achieving Lean Warehousing Through Value Stream Mapping. South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, 9(3), 387-401.

Eisenhardt, K. (1989). Building Theory from case study research. Academy of Management Review, 14, 532-550.

Gioia, D. A., & Chittipeddi, K. (1991). Sensemaking and sensegiving in strategic change initiation. Strategic Management Journal, 12, 433-448.

Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G., & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: Notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational research methods, 16(1), 15-31.

Given, L. M. (Ed.). (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. Sage publications.

Langley, A. (1999). Strategies for theorizing from process data. Academy of Management Review, 24, 691-710.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Thousand Oaks: CA: SAGE.

Malkamäki, K., Hiltunen, E., & Aromaa, E. (2021). The Role of Trust in the Strategic Management Process: A Case Study of Finnish Grocery Retail Company Kesko Ltd. South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, 10(1), 21-34.

Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Stake, R. (1995). The Art of Case Study Research. Thousand Oaks: CA: SAGE.

Yin, R. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.