BUSI 830 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Multi-Case Case Study 2022.pdf

MULTI-CASE CASE STUDY 1

Multi-Case Case Study

Janet Millard

School of Business, Liberty University

BUSI830 Case Study Research Methods

Dr. Kenneth George

December 5, 2021

Author’s Note

I attest that there are no conflicts of interest to disclose. By submitting this assignment, I

attest this submission represents my own work, and not that of another student, scholar,

or internet source. I understand I am responsible for knowing and correctly utilizing

referencing and bibliographical guidelines. I have not submitted this work for any other

class. All communication regarding this paper should be addressed to Janet Millard.

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Abstract

Case study research is an important method especially for the social science professions. The last

step in the case study process is reporting the case study. Reporting or composing the case study

must be done with flair and entice the audience to read the study. This process will differ

depending on the type of audience to which the research is being provided. From academics to

professionals and dissertation professors, the style and format must be geared toward their

specific needs. This paper will discuss the process of composing the research study.

Identification of the audience, visual and textual components of the study, striking a balance

when reporting the evidence, and will end with a sample case study.

Keywords: case study reporting, multi-case case study, case study reporting formats,

exemplary case study

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Multi-Case Case Study

Introduction

Multi-case case study is a method of case study that can take two or more cases that

examine the same issue. Reporting these cases can take multiple formats. Prior to deciding on a

format for the study, identification of the audience must be determined during the design phase.

There are multiple formats that can be used to compose the case study. These formats vary

depending on the type of case study, solitary, or multi-case. Multi-case studies can be formatted

with all case studies documented individually or together. The individual cases should be cross-

case analyzed to compare the evidence. Composition of the case study research should reach for

exemplary. This will require a grasp on the amount of evidence to present and in what format.

The study must be complete and not ended due to lack of funding or time. Finally, the

composition must be interesting to the reader. It must be written in a manner that entices the

reader to continue.

Case Study Report Audience and Reporting Methodology

Composition of the case study report is dependent on the target audience (Yin, 2018).

The target audience must be identified at the start of the case study and can be complicated due

to a large number of potential types of audience. Potential audiences may include academics,

policy makers, faculty advisors for doctoral research projects, and sponsors of the research. The

type of audience(s) may require different reporting methodologies. Academics are interested in

relationships, findings, and previous research theory. Policy makers have an interest in the real-

world implications of the research. A DBA project committee will be extremely interested in the

depth of understanding of the research method and compliance with APA standards. The funders

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are interested in a diversity of research which they may award funding. Novel ideals will be of

more interest to this audience.

Orienting the research to the needs of the audience will directly affect the form of the

report. There may be instances where it is necessary to compose the report and composition of

additional information for a particular audience (Yin, 2018). The information presented must be

sufficient to prove validity (construct, internal and external) and reliability of the data

(Ebneyamini & Sadeghi Moghadam, 2018). Meeting the needs of the audience will require

effective communication, upfront, with the target audience to gather their needs. Communication

is also the end goal of the report.

Visual and Textual Materials of a Case Study Report

The textual materials of a case study report can be presented in several different formats.

There are four types of case study compositional reports (Yin, 2018). The solitary case study

includes a single text to report and analyze the case study. This text may be augmented with

graphics, flow charts, and other visual aides to adequately represent the evidence. The single

case study may also contain some embedded evidence that must be reported. The embedded

evidence will be included in the presentation either within the main text or in an appendix. The

multi-case case study consists of multiple case studies that are presented individually in separate

sections or chapters. There is also a section that presents the cross-case results and analysis. An

alternative is a form where the multi-case analysis is the majority of the main text with the

individual case studies presented as appendices. The inclusion of a discussion regarding

triangulation of the data can also be included in this section. The data may be triangulated by

data source, investigator, theory, and/or methodology (Turnbull et al., 2021). A third form is a

question-and-answer presentation. The question and answers are the main portion of the text.

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When used in a multi-case, each case study is presented individually, all with the same questions,

and then compared. The last format is for multiple case-studies only. In this format, only the

cross-study analysis is provided. There is no presentation of the individual cases. In multi-case

study research, the cases may examine separate issues within the same study (Young et al.,

2021). In Young et al., (2021), three separate ways of delivering information to patients were

reviewed to examine the efficacy and the data was compared in a cross-case analysis. The format

should be chosen during the design of the case study.

The visually the evidence or data can be displayed in one of many illustrative structures.

A linear-analytic structure is a standard approach that has a linear design with the issue or

problem being studied documented first and then continues with the literature review. Methods,

data collected, data analysis, findings, and conclusions complete the structure. A comparative

structure repeats the same material two or more times to compare alternative explanations. A

chronological structure is organized in chronological order. The sections or chapters of the study

may be organized in an early, middle, and late phases of the study. This structure is well suited to

an explanatory case study. Theory-building structures has sections or chapters that display

specific topics and theory. The structure is best for explanatory and exploratory case studies. The

theory building structure will examine the facets of a causal relationship in an explanatory case

and outline the value to further research in an exploratory case study. Suspense structure presents

the outcome and substantive information in the beginning of the case study and the rest of the

case study is presented and to build up to the conclusion and includes alternative explanations.

Unsequenced structures is presentation of the case study with no particular sequence. A

descriptive case study can be presented in an unsequenced structure.

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Reporting Evidence: Striking the Balance

When reporting the case study, it is important to include all the necessary information but

also must not contain so much information to overwhelm the audience. An exemplary case study

must be significant to the furthering of the current literature. Significant cases are ones that are

unusual and of interest to a general audience, the issues are widely important and may affect

policy or be of practical significance. The case study must be complete. To determine

completeness, the researcher should first ensure that the boundaries have been fulfilled.

Secondly, there should be complete and show that evidence collection has been exhaustive. The

last sign of completeness is that the study concluded because it is complete and not because

funding is exhausted, or time ran out before completion.

Alternative perspectives must be considered. Rival propositions allow the researcher to

ensure that the assumptions of the case are accurate. Alternate views and theories, changes in

stakeholders or decision makers should be pursued. These alternative propositions may be

described in the main text or included in a separate or appendix. There must also be a display of

sufficient evidence to support the findings. The researcher must be diligent to ensure that enough

evidence and supporting documentation is present without overwhelming the audience with

arbitrary facts. The reader must feel confident that the evidence is adequate.

The case study must be presented in a manner that engages the reader. The researcher

must compose the case study report to entices the reader to continue. The writing should be clear

and concise while also vivid and vital. The writer’s enthusiasm should be clear to the reader.

MULTI-CASE CASE STUDY 7

Multiple-Case Case Study with Lean Six Sigma

Purpose

This multi-case integrated Lean Six Sigma case study research project is being conducted

to examine the various methods of establishing current workflow in each region of XYZ

Healthcare (XYZ). XYZ is a multinational corporation with one division dedicated to healthcare

technology. The portion of the organization is the Monitoring and Analytics which provides

cardiac monitoring solutions to healthcare organizations around the globe. This case study

research will be focused on the seven zones within the North American market.

Design

The issue being examined is the lack of continuity in delivery and education relating to

the purchased equipment and the documentation of services provided in the Sales Force

documentation program. The audience for this research is the Senior Manager of the Monitoring

and Analytic division and the North American Market C-Suite.

Method

A qualitative multi-case case study is performed to examine the disparities between

Philips NA seven zones during the education and implementation phases of delivery. The seven

zones clinical specialists will be sent a questionnaire and follow up interviews will be conducted

to further discuss their answers. Lean Six Sigma DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, implement,

and control) will be utilized as the primary tool for data collection and evaluation (Mustapha et

al., 2019).

In the define phase the customers will be defined along with their requirements and

expectations (Hall & Scott, 2016). A problem statement will be defined along with goals and

benefits. Each zone will be studied individually, and the data collected will be compared to

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evaluate and determine the best practices. Data will be measured, analyzed and improvements

will be implemented. The results will be evaluated, and adjustments made as required (Al Owad

et al., 2018). This process will continue until the best practice is identified and the control phase

will be entered.

Findings

The findings will be displayed in textual form as well as using process maps, value

stream analyses, scatter charts, fishbone charts, graphs, and tables (Hall & Scott, 2016). The

findings will be displayed with a separate chapter for each zone. There will be an additional

chapter that will contain the cross-case analyses conducted on the seven cases in relation to each

other.

Practical Implications and Biblical Integration

A discussion of the implications of the findings of the study will be discussed including

the replication potential of the study, weaknesses of the study, and the need for further study.

Research has always been conducted in many different forms. Psalms 25:2 states that “It is the

glory of God to conceal a thing: But the honor of kings is to search out a matter (Zondervan,

2016). Academics and professionals can not take information at face value. Researching a topic

is essential to ensure that correct decisions are made and the resulting actions or policies are in

line with the current research. God knows all but man must continue to search out answers for

what they want and need to know.

Conclusion

The multi-case case study is a useful technique to examine and evaluate several

individual case studies of the same issue and utilizing the same tools. The first step in the case

study is to identify the target audience for which the case study is being conducted. This is done

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in the design section of the study. The multi-case study can be formatted with each individual

case addressed separately and in their own chapters or they can be addressed together with cross-

case analyses. Performing the case study with a Lean Six Sigma integrated approach is achieved

using the DMAIC tool. All the information is collected using any of the Lean Six Sigma tools

such as process maps, flow charts and value stream analysis.

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References

Al Owad, A., Samaranayake, P., Karim, A., & Ahsan, K. B. (2018). An integrated lean

methodology for improving patient flow in an emergency department-case study of a

Saudi Arabian hospital. Production, Planning & Control, 29(13), 1058–1081.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1511870

Ebneyamini, S., & Sadeghi Moghadam, M. (2018). Toward developing a framework for

conducting case study research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1),

160940691881795. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406918817954

Hall, J., & Scott, T. (2016). Lean six sigma: Beginner's guide to understanding and practicing

lean six sigma. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Mustapha, M., Abu Hasan, F., & Muda, M. (2019). Lean six sigma implementation: Multiple

case studies in a developing country. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 10(1),

523–539. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijlss-08-2017-0096

Turnbull, D., Chugh, R., & Luck, J. (2021). The use of case study design in learning

management system research: A label of convenience? International Journal of

Qualitative Methods, 20, 160940692110041.

https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211004148

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE

Publications, Inc.

Young, A. M., Hickman, I., Campbell, K., & Wilkinson, S. A. (2021). Implementation science

for dietitians: The ‘what, why and how’ using multiple case studies. Nutrition &

Dietetics, 78(3), 276–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12677

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