Publication
The property of being causal – The conduct of qualitative comparative analysis in information systems research
Eduard Anton; Thuy Duong Oesterreich; Frank Teuteberg
In: Information & Management, Vol. 59, No. 3 (103619), Elsevier B.V. 4/2022.
Abstract
Grounded in configuration and complexity theory, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) combines the advantages of case-based and variable-oriented methods for rendering complex information systems (IS) phenomena comprehensible. Given its manifold benefits, the QCA method has attracted considerable attention in IS research, with an increasing number of studies employing it as their methodological approach. Based on a comprehensive review and synthesis of recent QCA practices from the IS field, covering 12 years of research, we outline the most prevalent research gaps and limitations concerning QCA's methodological application prior to identifying issues for further improvement as well as highlighting future research directions.