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

McGovern, Patrick (2020) In search of theory? The workplace case study tradition in the 21st century. Industrial Relations Journal, 51 (3). 136 - 152. ISSN 0019-8692

Text (McGovern_in-search-of-theory-workplace-case-study--published) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (183kB)

• Author

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.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Industrial+Relations+J...
Additional Information:	© 2020 The Author
Divisions:	Sociology
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Date Deposited:	02 Apr 2020 08:15
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2025 01:45
URI:	http://eprintstest.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/103926

Actions (login required)

View Item