Using grounded theory as a method for rigorously reviewing literature

Abstract

This paper offers guidance to conducting a rigorous literature review. We present this in the form of a five-stage process in which we use Grounded Theory as a method. We first probe the guidelines explicated by Webster and Watson, and then we show the added value of Grounded Theory for rigorously analyzing a carefully chosen set of studies; it assures solidly legitimized, indepth analyses of empirical facts and related insights. This includes, the emergence of new themes, issues and opportunities; interrelationships and dependencies in or beyond a particular area; as well as inconsistencies. If carried out meticulously, reviewing a well-carved out piece of literature by following this guide is likely to lead to more integrated and fruitful theory emergence, something that would enrich many fields in the social sciences.

Construction Marketing: Developing a Reference Framework

“…The approach of the grounded theory in data analysis was used for this purpose. Grounded theory is a rigorous methodology to construct a theory or framework and propose a systematic approach in handling, analyzing, and consolidating the data [57]. This approach provides a more accurate and integrated result in literature review than the traditional approach [57].…”

“…Grounded theory is a rigorous methodology to construct a theory or framework and propose a systematic approach in handling, analyzing, and consolidating the data [57]. This approach provides a more accurate and integrated result in literature review than the traditional approach [57]. Data analysis in grounded theory includes coding, constant comparison, and memoing [58].…”

“…Open coding is carried out to recognize the labels, concepts, and a set of categories based on the excerpts extracted from data sources. The axial coding is used to identify the interrelationship between categories and their subcategories, whereas the selective coding is applied to integrate and develop the relations between the master categories [57]. Constant comparison is about the comparison of the data units and categories for similarities and differences and helps to consolidate the concepts and categories derived from various sources [59].…”

Human Computer Interaction Research Through the Lens of a Bibliometric Analysis

“…The actual selection of relevant literature in this case as in any review is a nontrivial task; yet many literature reviews do not offer clarity about how and why they obtained their specific samples of literature or adequately explicitly express the methods of analysis that were used (Wolfswinkel, Furtmueller, & Wilderom, 2013). The bibliographic analysis not only satisfies the aforementioned good literature review ingredients of clarity and rigorousness, but also delivers greater legitimization of the process.…”

Alliance strategy: context, process, and requirements

“…(Bauer and Gaskell, 2000) using a selective coding approach. Relying on a semi-structured inductive method, rather than a grounded approach, selective coding helps to leverage pre-developed concepts: it enables integration and refinement of conceptual categories (Wolfswinkel et al, 2011). Iterative cycles of data analysis allowed for new insights to emerge (Schakel et al, 2016).…”