Epistemological role of case studies in logistics: A critical realist perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop the paradigmatic justification for the use of case studies in logistics research. The argument is based on a critical realist (CR) ontology and epistemology. The current logistics paradigm's flat ontology – based on regularity – is replaced by an ontology emphasising structures and mechanisms underlying actual events in the form of logistics practice and performance.Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of desk research, conceptual work and theorizing.Findings – Based on this CR view of the logistics domain it is argued that the justifications for conducting case studies lie in their ability: to reach the causal depth required for revealing the real domain of logistics activities and performance: to reveal the working of mechanisms in loosely coupled structures showing open systems characteristics through a constant alternation between abstract and concrete reasoning and; to include the causal powers and effects of agents' ascribed mean...

[1]  A. Sayer,et al.  Realism and Social Science , 1999 .

[2]  T. Skjøtt-Larsen,et al.  Complementary theories to supply chain management , 2007 .

[3]  Jean Hartley,et al.  Case study research , 2004 .

[4]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[5]  Andrew Sayer,et al.  Method in Social Science: A Realist Approach , 1984 .

[6]  C. Meyer,et al.  A Case in Case Study Methodology , 2001 .

[7]  Joe B. Hanna,et al.  Research approaches in logistics : trends and alternative future directions , 2007 .

[8]  Jesper Aastrup,et al.  Quality criteria for qualitative inquiries in logistics , 2003, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[9]  B. Gammelgaard.  Schools in logistics research?: A methodological framework for analysis of the discipline , 2004 .

[10]  Philip Payne,et al.  Research frameworks in logistics: three models, seven dinners and a survey , 1995 .

[11]  Douglas.  FOUR CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE , 1989 .

[12]  Joseph K. K. Ho.  Formulating multiperspective systems-based (MPSB) frameworks, using logistics management as an example , 1995 .

[13]  R. Bhaskar.  A realist theory of science , 1976 .

[14]  T. Lawson.  Economics and Reality , 1997 .

[15]  Arni Halldorsson,et al.  Logistics knowledge creation: reflections on content, context and processes , 2002 .

[16]  Geoff Easton,et al.  Marketing: a Critical Realist approach , 2002 .

[17]  John Ramsay,et al.  Trope Control: The Costs and Benefits of Metaphor Unreliability in the Description of Empirical Phenomena , 2004 .

[18]  Charles C. Snow,et al.  Organization theory and supply chain management: An evolving research perspective , 2007 .

[19]  R. Bhaskar,et al.  Critical Realism , 2011 .

[20]  Dag Näslund,et al.  Entering the White Space of Logistics Research , 2005 .

[21]  Dimitrios Vafidis.  Approaches for knowledge and application creation in logistics : an empirical analysis based on Finnish and Swedish doctoral dissertations published between 1994 and 2003 , 2007 .

[22]  John Johansen,et al.  Doctoral Dissertations in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Review of Scandinavian Contributions from 1990 to 2001 , 2003 .

[23]  John Mingers,et al.  The contribution of critical realism as an underpinning philosophy for OR/MS and systems , 2000, J. Oper. Res. Soc..

[24]  Geoff Easton,et al.  Case research as a methodology for industrial networks: a Realist apologia , 2000 .

[25]  M. Fisher.  What is the Right Supply Chain for Your Product , 1997 .

[26]  P. Larson,et al.  Logistics versus supply chain management: An international survey , 2004 .

[27]  M. Cooper,et al.  Supply Chain Postponement and Speculation Strategies: How to choose the right strategy , 1998 .

[28]  Dag Näslund.  Logistics needs qualitative research – especially action research , 2002 .

[29]  Arni Halldorsson,et al.  Research methodologies in supply chain management: what do we know? , 2005 .

[30]  Michael Jackson,et al.  Integrated logistics--call in the revolutionaries! , 1997 .

[31]  John Mingers,et al.  Combining IS Research Methods: Towards a Pluralist Methodology , 2001, Inf. Syst. Res..

[32]  J. Stock.  Applying theories from other disciplines to logistics , 1997 .

[33]  T. Watson,et al.  Theorizing Managerial Work: a Pragmatic Pluralist Approach to Interdisciplinary Research , 1997 .

[34]  Ann Taket,et al.  Creative Problem Solving: Total Systems Intervention. , 1991 .

[35]  H. Tsoukas.  The Validity of Idiographic Research Explanations , 1989 .

[36]  J. Mentzer,et al.  VALIDITY IN LOGISTICS RESEARCH. , 1997 .

[37]  L. Ellram.  THE USE OF THE CASE STUDY METHOD IN LOGISTICS RESEARCH , 1996 .

[38]  Donald J. Bowersox,et al.  LOGISTICAL MANAGEMENT: A SYSTEMS INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURING SUPPORT, AND MATERIALS PROCUREMENT (3RD ED. ) , 1986 .

[39]  R Gomes,et al.  A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO THE INVESTIGATION OF JUST-IN-TIME , 1988 .

[40]  B. Flyvbjerg.  Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research , 2006, 1304.1186.

[41]  Gyöngyi Kovács,et al.  A content analysis of research approaches in logistics research , 2006 .