Organizations, populations, and fields: Investigating organizational heterogeneity through a multilevel case study design

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe a multilevel, longitudinal, comparative case study approach for investigating organizational heterogeneity based on our experience studying institutional change in the health care field (Scott, Ruef, Mendel, & Caronna, 2000). By examining the relationship between organizations, populations, and fields, differences between organizations can be captured in terms of their organizational identities as well as their (changing) relationships with the organizational field. We discuss the analytical strategies we used in our study of institutional change and describe our findings of organizational heterogeneity across levels and over time. We conclude with suggestions for future research that incorporate elements of our study design and lessons from our research process and outcomes.

Citation

Caronna, C.A., Pollack, S.S. and Scott, W.R. (2009), "Organizations, populations, and fields: Investigating organizational heterogeneity through a multilevel case study design", King, B.G., Felin, T. and Whetten, D.A. (Ed.) Studying Differences between Organizations: Comparative Approaches to Organizational Research (Research in the Sociology of Organizations, Vol. 26), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 249-270. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0733-558X(2009)0000026011