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Chapter 10 The Configurational Approach in Organizational Network Research

Configurational Theory and Methods in Organizational Research

ISBN: 978-1-78190-778-8, eISBN: 978-1-78190-779-5

Publication date: 25 April 2013

Abstract

This chapter explores how a configurational approach and set-theoretic methods can contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of organizational networks and network relations. This is especially true for the study of “whole networks” of organizations where data collection difficulties often limit the sample size (Provan, Fish, & Sydow, 2007). We present two empirical examples of current research on whole networks, demonstrating how qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) can be used to analyze organizational networks. We then discuss the methodological and theoretical implications of the configurational approach for future organizational network research.

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Citation

Raab, J., Lemaire, R.H. and Provan, K.G. (2013), "Chapter 10 The Configurational Approach in Organizational Network Research", Fiss, P.C., Cambré, B. and Marx, A. (Ed.) Configurational Theory and Methods in Organizational Research (Research in the Sociology of Organizations, Vol. 38), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 225-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0733-558X(2013)0000038014

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited