Mixed methods studies in entrepreneurship research: Applications and contributions

Mixed methods research is becoming an increasingly popular approach in several fields. However, its application in the field of entrepreneurship has not been studied. The authors reviewed the use of mixed methods research in three entrepreneurship journals and two leading generalistic journals that publish entrepreneurship research, examining the main purposes and designs. A total of 955 articles were reviewed and 81 mixed methods studies were identified. The analysis of these articles revealed opportunities associated with the application of this approach. Mixed methods may help to improve entrepreneurship research addressing challenges emphasized in earlier studies. Suggestions on why and how to use mixed methods research are offered, and recommendations are provided to guide future mixed methods studies to advance our understanding of the entrepreneurial phenomenon.     

Mixed Methods Studies in Environmental Management Research: Prevalence,Purposes and Designs

Mixed methods research, that is, the combined use of quantitative and qualitative methods in the same study, is a popular approach in several fields. However, its use in the field of environmental management and sustainable development has not been examined. The authors review the application of mixed methods research in the journal Business Strategy and the Environment in the last ten years. A total of 340 articles have been read and reviewed, and 26 mixed methods studies have been identified. The main purposes and mixed methods designs are examined. Suggestions on why and how to use mixed methods research are offered, and recommendations are provided to guide future mixed methods studies to advance our understanding of environmental management topics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment     

A Strategy to Identify Critical Appraisal Criteria for Primary Mixed-Method Studies

The practice of mixed-methods research has increased considerably over the last 10 years. While these studies have been criticized for violating quantitative and qualitative paradigmatic assumptions, the methodological quality of mixed-method studies has not been addressed. The purpose of this paper is to identify criteria to critically appraise the quality of mixed-method studies in the health literature. Criteria for critically appraising quantitative and qualitative studies were generated from a review of the literature. These criteria were organized according to a cross-paradigm framework. We recommend that these criteria be applied to a sample of mixed-method studies which are judged to be exemplary. With the consultation of critical appraisal experts and experienced qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method researchers, further efforts are required to revise and prioritize the criteria according to importance.     

More than Typewriters,More than Adding Machines: Integrating Information Technology into Political Research

It has long been recognized that information technology (IT) can facilitate (or even permit) forms of empirical analysis unimagined just a generation ago. However, political scientists have generally experimented with only a narrow range of the possibilities the new technologies offer – easier writing, editing and communications processes, and more sophisticated statistical analyses. While these have undoubtedly increased productivity and rigor within the discipline, other IT applications have largely gone unnoticed. The growing pool of Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) technologies presents researchers with new ways to conceptualize, perceive, and communicate their research, with the potential of revolutionizing social science research. This paper offers an overview of those IT and CAQDAS solutions with the most potential to facilitate political inquiry, and offers a series of practical steps by which technological novices might begin to apply the new technologies in their research. In closing, we discuss the benefits and perils of using such technology, and suggest the ways by which IT might strengthen current research techniques. The appendix catalogues several dozen applications for data acquisition, organization, processing, analysis and presentation, with contact and pricing information.     

辩论在英语课堂中的实施

在英语教学中,把辩论作为一种学习方法引入课堂,已成为一种新的教学和学习模式。本文从分析辩论在大学英语教学中的意义入手,以辩论教学的形式和过程为基点,探究辩论教学的实施策略。     

Preserving Theoretical Divergence in Management Research: Why the Explanatory Potential of Qualitative Research Should Be Harnessed Rather than Suppressed

Despite the evident rise in the number of qualitative studies that are published in leading journals, I argue that the rich tradition and hallmark of qualitative research is under pressure. In recent years qualitative papers are increasingly being fashioned in the image of quantitative research, so much so that papers adopt ‘factor‐analytic’ styles of theorizing that have typically been the preserve of quantitative methods. This is a worrying trend as it leads to certain types of explanations dominating our field and at the expense of other viable forms of explanation. It also narrows the remit of qualitative research in general by channelling the theoretical contribution of qualitative studies in the direction of factor‐analytic propositional or variance models. In this article, I discuss the differences between the distinct types of theoretical explanations that are associated with quantitative and qualitative methods, survey the trend towards a quantitative ‘restyling’ of qualitative research, and elaborate its negative implications for our body of knowledge and for the state of management and organization theory.     

Measurement of Variables Involved in the Design of a Training Study: Practical Experience Undertaken in a Sports Organisation

This article describes the process for preparing a survey, which will be used to measure relevant variables, which are involved in a study of training needs in a Spanish sports organisation. The variables which have been considered are: problems and difficulties in carrying work of specific positions; “strong points” in carrying out this work; usefulness of the training received in facing and solving the above-mentioned problems and difficulties; usefulness of the training received in acquiring and strengthening these “strong points” in carrying out work; opinion and suggestions with respect to future training. Due to the applied nature of the study, a data collection methodology was designed which was based on interviews and group discussions with a representative sample of workers. Finally, the predictive capacity of perception, which workers have, of their motivation at work was clearly shown in order to then identify different attitude and conduct patterns.     

Move Your Research From The Ivy Tower To The Board Room: A Primer On Action Research For Academics,Consultants, And Business Executives

Today there is a large divide between the vast majority of management research that is conducted and the opportunities for doing work that is useful for both research and practice. Action research offers a great opportunity to bridge the divide, with benefits for all involved. For academic researchers, action research can increase access to important research sites that otherwise would remain off‐limits, while simultaneously increasing the relevance and scope of the research issues addressed. For researchers and practitioners who work in organizations, and for external consultants, action research offers a way to scientifically evaluate important organizational issues using scientific methods. These methods provide a type of external validity and support for actions that otherwise could be dismissed as representing a biased internal agenda. Moreover, internal researchers who engage in action research enable the sharing of insights that can benefit practitioners in other organizations as well as the research community. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Strategy/Structure Debate: An Examination of the Performance Implications

The relative importance of strategy and structure lies at the heart of the strategic management field, yet little is known about the associated performance implications of such changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the financial performance impact of strategy and structure changes. We conducted an examination of 259 firms over a 36-year period using a quasi-experimental design. No significant change–performance relationships were found for tandem changes (i.e. when both strategy and structure were changed). But, we found that singular structure changes were associated with the highest performance. This finding was consistent with the theory: though strategy is important, proper deployment of firm uniqueness is paramount to performance enhancement.     

Estimating the Direction of Innovative Change Based on Theory and Mixed Methods

In predicting the direction of innovative changethe question arises of the valid measurement ofyet unknown variables. We developed and applied aresearch method that combines qualitativeand quantitative elements in one interview formatand an analysis tool suitable for these data. Animportant characteristic of the method is the useof a model based on more universal forcesunderlying the direct interests in a product ofthe stakeholders in a system. This allows directedstatements, with a provocative and sometimes atrade-off character, on which the opinion ofstakeholders is asked on a quantitative scale andwhich are further probed in a standardisedqualitative way. A modified spider-web model isdeveloped to present the results in an orderlyand comprehensive way. The method is validatedon research on the strategic development ofthe market of scientific communication andinformation as it is presently developing on theInternet.     

The Sales Process of Information Systems: Implications for Project Execution and Business Benefits

This inductive case study research examines the sales cycle of eight information systems (IS) providers situated in Australia, Hong Kong, Europe, and the United States. The study found that the IS sales cycle provides a restrictive covenant for ensuing projects with contractual constraints, having consequences for fundamental project factors such as benefits, scope, and cost. The process also impedes solution design, schedule, extent of customizations, and training. There are many implications for improvements to practice, in particular there should be more focus placed upon business benefits and increased awareness of life cycle cost during the sales process.     

高速公路项目PPP模式的物有所值决策研究

为大力发展PPP模式在高速公路项目领域的应用,采用物有所值评价方法分析PPP模式在该类项目中是否适用是决策阶段不可或缺的部分.通过实地项目调研及文献研究,归纳总结高速公路PPP项目的政府与社会资本合作模式,确立相应的物有所值定性评价指标体系,采用模糊综合评价法进行定性评价,结合定性评价和定量评价论证高速公路PPP项目的...     

质量分析方法在物流企业服务的研究

文中针对目前质量管理研究方面存在的重工业、轻服务、重形式、轻效果等现象,结合质量管理的思想和分析工具,将质量分析方法运用到物流企业服务中。     

从科研成果角度审视体育新闻专业的课程设置

本文从2004-2007年体育核心期刊刊登的体育新闻传播科研成果的角度来分析课程设置、课程体系的建立等问题。研究对象选用的是依据北京大学图书馆编撰《中文核心期刊要目总览》(2004年版)评选出的13家体育类核心期刊2004-2007四年间的237篇与体育新闻传播有关的科研文章。研究方法采用了文献资料法和数理统计法等,对论文作者的基本信息、研究方法、数据类型、文章主要观点进行和统计和分析,得出有效的结论。结果与分析:①从研究人员的研究方向阐释增设社会学课程势在必行;②从学生就业方向和新闻课程的角度说明增加社会学研究方法课程的必要性;③从科研人员采用的科研方法的数量和方式上论述系统学习社会学研究方法的重要性;④从研究方法的具体使用程度上探讨学习社会学软件的意义。     

城乡结合部界定方法研究

利用文献综述法,基于已有的研究,给出城乡结合部的界定原则,并从定性和定量两个角度尝试建立具有普遍适用性的城乡结合部的界定方法;指出在对城乡结合部的社会结构、经济发展和土地利用模式等问题进行研究时,应从统一的视角对城乡结合部的范围进行划定,从而使研究结果具有横向可比性,为城市的理性发展提供支持。     

完善以量化考核为基础的高等职业院校科研激励机制

本文分析了高等职业院校科研工作的特点,概括了当前高职院校科研工作量化考核的主要内容,提出应从实际出发,创新量化考核方法,针对性地解决存在的各种问题,推动高等职业院校科研工作持续、健康发展。     

胜利油田勘探开发安全风险评估和应对管理研究

油气田勘探开发是一项复杂的系统工程,由地震勘探、钻井、试油、采油(气)、井下作业、油气集输与初步加工处理、储运和工程建设等环节组成。每一生产环节。因所使用物品、所采取工艺条件和所生产产品的不同,其危险分布及危险性亦有所区别。本文以分析油气集输风险为例,识别主要风险有火灾、爆炸、触电伤害、机械伤害、物体打击、中毒窒息等。同时由于油田的石油系统工程分布在相当大的范围内,线面结构,相连成网,发生的灾害和次灾害,有突发性、广泛性、连锁性和严重性的特点。通过对胜利油田安全生产现状及勘探开发项目生产过程危险因素进行分析,确定勘探开发项目建设过程中各环节的风险程度,研究出适合油田勘探开发项目安全风险管理模式,为建设项目建设、管理单位提供合理、可行的安全建议对策措施,同时可为油田主管部门实施监管和决策提供技术支持。最大程度上降低安全隐患,减少可能的事故损失。