Building Better Causal Theories: A Fuzzy Set Approach to Typologies in Organization Research

Abstract

Typologies are an important way of organizing the complex cause-effect relationships that are key building blocks of the strategy and organization literatures. Here, I develop a novel theoretical perspective on causal core and periphery, which is based on how elements of a configuration are connected to outcomes. Using data on hightechnology firms, I empirically investigate configurations based on the Miles and Snow typology using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). My findings show how the theoretical perspective developed here allows for a detailed analysis of causal core, periphery, and asymmetry, shifting the focus to midrange theories of causal processes.

Explaining travellers online information satisfaction: A complexity theory approach on information needs, barriers, sources and personal characteristics

“…Complexity theory incorporates the principle of equifinality; an outcome of interest may be explained similarly by alternative sets of causal conditions that combine in sufficient configurations for the outcome [63,64]. In our case, high information satisfaction may equally be attained through multiple combinations of information-seeking behaviour factors.…”

“…FsQCA analysis follows the configuration theory paradigm, which enables the examination of holistic interplays between elements of a messy and non-linear nature [63]. The main difference of fsQCA with other methods of QCA is that it allows for outcome and predictor variables to be on a fuzzy scale (continuous) rather than on just a dichotomous scale (binary).…”

“…Moreover, complexity theory proposes the manifestation of causal asymmetry [63,64]. Causal asymmetry implies that different values of the same causal condition may appear in combinations that explain overall information satisfaction depending on these conditions combining with each other.…”

On the use of qualitative comparative analysis in management

“…In this vein, Fiss (2011), for example, constructs a theory of core and peripheral determinants of organizational causalities. Another way of contributing to management research is by introducing new management issues and investigating the causes (Tóth et al, 2014).…”

Alternative pathways to utilizing customer knowledge: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

“…This study aims to highlight how different antecedents interplay or combine to predict CKU. As a technique, fsQCA has been attracting increasing interest due to its ability to provide increased understanding of the configurational pathways needed for reaching an outcome (Fiss, 2011).…”