Abstract
This article tackles how to adapt grounded theory by blending it with case study techniques. Grounded theory is commended for enabling qualitative researchers to avoid priori assumptions and intensely explore social phenomena leading to enhanced theorization and deepened contextualized understanding. However, it is criticized for generating enormous data that is difficult to manage, contentious treatment of literature review and category saturation. Further, while the proliferation of several versions of grounded theory brings new insights and some clarity, inevitably some bits of confusion also creep in, given the dearth of standard protocols applying across such versions. Consequently, the combined effect of all these challenges is that grounded theory is predominantly perceived as very daunting, costly and time consuming. This perception is discouraging many qualitative researchers from using grounded theory; yet using it immensely benefits qualitative research. To gradually impart grounded theory skills and to encourage its usage a key solution is to avoid a full-scale grounded theory but instead use its adapted version, which exploits case study techniques. How to do this is the research question for this article. Through a reflective account of my PhD research methodology the article generates new insights by providing an original and novel empirical account about how to adapt grounded theory blending it with case study techniques. Secondly, the article offers a Versatile Interview Cases Research Framework (VICaRF) that equips qualitative researchers with clear research questions and steps they can take to effectively adapt grounded theory by blending it with case study techniques.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allwood, C.M.: The distinction between qualitative and quantitative research methods is problematic. Qual. Quant. 46(5), 1417–1429 (2012)
Andrade, A.D.: Interpretive research aiming at theory building: adopting and adapting the case study design. Qual. Rep. 14(1), 42–60 (2009)
Bruscaglioni, L.: Theorizing in grounded theory and creative abduction. Qual. Quant. 50(5), 2009–2024 (2016)
Burrell, G., Morgan, G.: Sociological Paradigms and Organizational Analysis: Elements of the Sociology of Corporate Life. Heinemann, London (1979)
Chalmers, A.F.: What is This Thing Called Science? Open University Press, Maidenhead (1999)
Chamberlain, G.P.: Researching strategy formation process: an abductive methodology. Qual. Quant. 40, 289–301 (2006)
Charmaz, K.: Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Research. Sage Publications Ltd, London (2006)
Charmaz, K.: Constructing Grounded Theory. SAGE, London (2014)
Cooke, F.L.: Concepts, contexts, and mindsets: putting human resource management research in perspectives. Hum. Resour. Manag. 28(1), 1–13 (2017)
Cope, J.: Toward a dynamic learning perspective of entrepreneurship. Entrep. Theory Pract. 29(4), 373–397 (2005)
Corbin, J., Strauss, A.: Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, 4th edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA (2015)
Creswell, J.W.: Qualitative Inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches, 3rd edn. Sage Publications Ltd., London (2013)
Dey, I.: Grounding Grounded Theory: Guidelines for Qualitative Inquiry. Academic, San Diego, CA (1999)
Diefenbach, T.: Are case studies more than sophisticated storytelling?: Methodological problems of qualitative empirical research mainly based on semi-structured interviews. Qual. Quant. 43(6), 875–894 (2009)
Dunne, C.: The place of the literature review in grounded theory research. Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol. 14(2), 111–124 (2011)
Fairhurst, G.T., Putnam, L.L.: An integrative methodology for organizational oppositions: aligning grounded theory and discourse analysis. Organ. Res. Methods 22(4), 917–940 (2019)
Francis, J.J., Johnston, M., Robertson, C., Glidewell, L., Entwistle, V., Eccles, M.P., Grimshaw, J.M.: What is an adequate sample size? Operationalising data saturation for theory-based interview studies. Psychol. Health 25(10), 1229–1245 (2010)
Glaser, B.: Doing Grounded Theory: Issues and Discussions. Sociology Press, Mill Valley, CA (1998)
Glaser, B.G., Strauss, A.L.: The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research. Aldine de Gruyter, Chicago, IL (1967)
Gordon, J.: The voice of the social worker: a narrative literature review. Br. J. Soc. Work. 48(5), 1333–1350 (2018)
Hlady-Rispal, M., Jouison-Laffitte, E.: Qualitative research methods and epistemological frameworks: a review of publication trends in entrepreneurship. J. Small Bus. Manag. 52(4), 594–614 (2014)
Iman, M.T., Boostani, D.: A qualitative investigation of the intersection of leisure and identity among high school students: application of grounded theory. Qual. Quant. 46(2), 483–499 (2012)
Katz, J.A., Aldrich, H.E., Welbourne, T.M., Williams, P.M.: Guest editor’s comments special issue on human resource management and the SME: toward a new synthesis. Entrep. Theory Pract. 25(1), 7–10 (2000)
Kibuku, R.N., Ochieng, D.O., Wausi, A.N.: Developing an e-learning theory for interaction and collaboration using grounded theory: a methodological approach. Qual. Rep. 26(9), 0_1-2854 (2021)
Lai, Y., Saridakis, G., Johnstone, S.: Human resource practices, employee attitudes and small firm performance. Int. Small Bus. J. 35(4), 470–494 (2017)
Lauckner, H., Paterson, M., Krupa, T.: Using constructivist case study methodology to understand community development processes: proposed methodological questions to guide the research process. Qual. Rep. 17(13), 1–22 (2012)
Levers, M.J.D.: Philosophical paradigms, grounded theory, and perspectives on emergence, pp. 1–6. Sage Open, London (2013)
Marlow, S.: Human resource management in smaller firms: a contradiction in terms? Hum. Resour. Manag. Rev. 16(4), 467–477 (2006)
Marlow, S., Taylor, S., Thompson, A.: Informality and formality in medium sized companies: contestation and synchronization. Br. J. Manag. 21(4), 954–966 (2010)
Mason, M.: Sample size and saturation in PhD studies using qualitative interviews. Qual. Soc. Res. (2010). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-11.3.1428
Mauceri, S.: Mixed strategies for improving data quality: the contribution of qualitative procedures to survey research. Qual. Quant. 48, 2773–2790 (2014)
Mullen, M., Budeva, D.G., Doney, P.M.: Research methods in the leading small business entrepreneurship journals: a critical review with recommendations for future research. J. Small Bus. Manage. 47(3), 287–307 (2009)
Niaz, M.: Can findings of qualitative research in education be generalized? Qual. Quant. 41(3), 429–445 (2007)
Nolan, C.T., Garavan, T.N.: Human resource development in SMEs: a systematic review of the literature. Int. J. Manag. Rev. 18(1), 85–107 (2016)
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Leech, N.L.: A call for qualitative power analyses. Qual. Quant. 41(1), 105–121 (2007)
Pentland, B.T.: Building process theory with narrative: from description to explanation. Acad. Manag. Rev. 24(4), 711–724 (1999)
Popper, K.: The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Hutchinson, Tuebingen (1959)
Ramalho, R., Adams, P., Huggard, P., Hoare, K.: Literature review and constructivist grounded theory methodology. Qual. Soc. Res. J. 16(3), 1–13 (2015)
Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs, H., Jinks, C.: Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Qual. Quant. 52, 1893–1907 (2018)
Sharma, G., Kulshreshtha, K., Bajpai, N.: Getting over the issue of theoretical stagnation: an exploration and metamorphosis of grounded theory approach. Qual. Quant. 56(2), 857–884 (2022)
Stake, R.E.: The Art of Case Study Research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA (1995)
Strauss, A.L., Corbin, J.: The Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Sage, Newbury Park, CA (1998)
Thistoll, T., Hooper, V., Pauleen, D.J.: Acquiring and developing theoretical sensitivity through undertaking a grounded preliminary literature review. Qual. Quant. 50(2), 619–636 (2016)
Tobi, H., Kampen, J.K.: Research design: the methodology for interdisciplinary research framework. Qual. Quant. 52, 1209–1225 (2018)
Tomaszewski, L.E., Zarestky, J., Gonzalez, E.: Planning qualitative research: design and decision making for new researchers. Int J Qual Methods 19, 1–7 (2020)
Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., Smart, P.: Towards a methodology for developing evidence informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. Br. J. Manag. 14(3), 207–222 (2003)
Travers, G.: New methods, old problems: a sceptical view of innovation in qualitative research. Qual. Res. 9(2), 161–179 (2009)
Tzagkarakis, S.I., Kritas, D.: Mixed research methods in political science and governance: approaches and applications. Qual. Quant. 57, 1–15 (2022)
Urquhart, C.: Grounded Theory for Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide. Sage, London (2013)
Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Thorpe, S., Young, T.: Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period. BMC Med. Res. Methodol. 18(1), 1–18 (2018)
Welch, C., Piekkari, R., Plakoyiannaki, E., Mantymaki, E.P.: Theorising from case studies: towards a pluralist future for international business research. J. Int. Bus. Stud. 42(5), 1–24 (2011)
Wiles, R., Crow, G., Pain, H.: Innovation in qualitative research methods: a narrative review. Qual. Res. 11(5), 587–604 (2011)
Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage, London (2014)
Acknowledgements
I am indebted to Professor Ben Lupton, my PhD Director of Studies and Dr Valerie Antcliff my second PhD supervisor, for their mentorship over the years. I continue to draw on the wealth of knowledge they invested in me to generate knowledge. My profound gratitude also goes to the chief editor, associate editor and reviewers for this journal whose insightful review strengthened this article.
Funding
This methodology was formulated and executed in a PhD that was fully funded by the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Dr CD is the sole author.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
This article has not been submitted to any other academic journals.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Dahwa, C. Adapting and blending grounded theory with case study: a practical guide. Qual Quant 58, 2979–3000 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01783-9
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-023-01783-9