• ISSN: 2301-3567 (Print), 2972-3981 (Online)
    • Abbreviated Title: J. Econ. Bus. Manag.
    • Frequency: Quarterly
    • DOI: 10.18178/JOEBM
    • Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Eunjin Hwang
    • Executive Editor: Ms. Fiona Chu
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HOME > Archive > 2016 > Volume 4 Number 11 (Nov. 2016) >
JOEBM 2016 Vol.4(11): 642-651 ISSN: 2301-3567
DOI: 10.18178/joebm.2016.4.11.467

An Attempt to Close the Rigor-Relevance Gap During Case Studies

Benjamin Kuch

Abstract— The current research centers around the question of whether or not a simultaneous coordination of economic and scientific systems can be effective. Considering a broader context, this is a vital issue to both firms and regional networks. For many business organizations the coordination on the juncture between the economic and the scientific system constitutes an important challenge in terms of competitive advantage. Since regions are composed of various functionally differentiated systems, insights from the science-economy juncture can be used as a starting point to conceive of a more generalized coordination approach. The paper draws on a literature review about the rigor-relevance gap and combines it with empirical insights from a longitudinal case study in the German mechanical engineering industry. Onsite observations and semi-structured interviews are enriched by quantitative data from the firms’ resource planning systems. Continuously evaluating the empirical findings against prevailing literature, the study gradually reveals insights that are condensed to a theoretical argument of integrated coordination between economic and scientific organizations. Based on this result and in opposition to previous research, it is concluded that the rigor-relevance gap can be systematically bridged by integrating systemic communications on the interface between scientific and practical relevance.

Index Terms— Case study methodology, rigor-relevance gap, strategic management, systems management.

Benjamin Kuch is with the Graduate School of Excellence advanced Manufacturing Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Germany (e-mail: benjamin.kuch@gsame.uni-stuttgart.de).

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Cite: Benjamin Kuch, " An Attempt to Close the Rigor-Relevance Gap During Case Studies," Journal of Economics, Business and Management vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 642-651, 2016.

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