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Time-bounded events such as hackathons, data dives, codefests, hack-days, sprints or edit-a-thons have increasingly gained attention from practitioners and researchers. Yet there is a paucity of re...

This qualitative inquiry used the multiple case study and phenomenological designs to explore coteaching experiences of teachers in higher educational institutions. The research utilized the modal ...

An overview of the literature shows that various types of employee death in academia are relatively unexplored. In part a dialogic response to a study reflecting upon the impact of an academic's suicide, this multiple case study focuses on organizational and personal reactions to the deaths of four coworkers at four Polish universities. To present the experiences of the participants in a holistic manner, this study is phenomenological in design, incorporating semi-structured interviews followed by thematic data explicitation. Eight thematic areas were explored yielding results that diverge from most guidelines on the constructive management of loss in the workplace.

The main aim of this research is to verify the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of the civil construction industry in the State of Bahia. The CSR became relevant as business environment is increasingly more complex and competitive, and society has demanded from organizations concrete actions about issues such as sustainability and social development. Those actions are aligned with the ten principles suggested by the United Nations Global Compact. To carry out this research, a multiple case study strategy was used through interviews with key respondents from six construction companies based in the State of Bahia. The findings showed that CSR is a relevant issue as far as business strategies are concerned for 67% of companies surveyed. Despite the theme is not a consensus, this study showed that several actions have been developed informally related to CSR, especially those linked to the welfare of communities surrounding construction sites and the use of modern technologies that help reducing environmental impact, the management of construction waste (debris).

We describe the knowledge translation strategies in two projects and share lessons learned about knowledge sharing and uptake. To generate findings for dissemination: (1) the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire (RCI) project relied on a multiple case study design to document barriers and facilitators to implementing a community-led prevention strategy targeting Ebola virus disease; and (2) the Tunisia project used several designs to assess a mental health training’s effectiveness, and a case study design to explore contextual factors that may influence anticipated outcomes. To share findings with participants, the RCI project relied on workshops and a pamphlet, and the Tunisia project relied on a structured half-day dissemination workshop and research summary. Facilitators that may have encouraged sharing and using findings include involving champions in dissemination activities, ongoing collaboration, and developing/implementing context-specific knowledge sharing strategies. Barriers include omitting to assess strategies, limited consideration of a wider audience, and the exclusion of a knowledge translation training component. Our experiences might be useful to contexts involved in global and public health research that wish to address the “know-do gap.”

Group-based programs have the potential to help patients manage their diabetes and prevent complications. However, participant retention has been identified as one of the major issues hampering these programs. Previous empirical studies have identified factors related to retention, such as age and body mass index. However, there has been little investigation on the factors that contribute to retention in group-based diabetes programs. This study explored the perspectives of diabetes program educators on the factors that lead to participant retention in group-based diabetes programs. A qualitative multiple case study design was employed to understand retention factors across six purposefully selected group-based diabetes programs. Diabetes educators participated in a one-time, in-depth, semi-structured phone interview. Data was analyzed inductively using within and cross-case thematic analysis. Four major themes were identified that impact retention in these programs, including individual factors, logistical factors, social factors, and program factors. The findings of this study shed insight on the factors impacting participant retention across group-based diabetes programs. These findings have the potential to inform diabetes educators on how to improve retention in ongoing or future diabetes programs.

Rail transit systems are one of the most important and popular types of transit systems used daily in metropolitan areas all around the world. The third rail is one of the providers of traction power in electrified rail systems, but it faces several issues, such as insulator failures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of insulator failures, which have not been comprehensively studied and presented in the literature. To accomplish this objective, eight transit systems with third rails were selected to (1) investigate the characteristics of third-rail systems, (2) determine the causes of insulator failures, (3) analyze the costs associated with insulator failures, and (4) determine mitigating practices to reduce the number and cost of insulator failures. After a thorough literature review, details of eight case studies were collected from different transit agencies, and their subject matter experts were asked to complete a survey and provide input. The results revealed that a build-up of dirt was the major cause of the 17 identified causes of insulator failures; carbon dust and dirt were identified as the most present particles in third-rail systems. It was noted that transit agencies often implement multiple mitigating practices such as cleaning the insulator, performing visual inspections, and conducting regular maintenance to reduce the number and cost of insulator failures. The findings of this study will help decision-makers for transit systems make timely decisions to prevent third-rail insulator failures and adopt appropriate practices that best fit their transit system.

The importance of integrating sustainability in businesses practices has gained increasing attention in the food sector. Important sustainable initiatives in this sector refer to food waste solutions. Food waste is defined as food intended to feed humans, but used in another way. This study aims to analyze food waste solutions developed by Brazilian companies. Through a multiple case study, three cases were analyzed. Results indicate that food waste solutions are incorporated mainly in collaboration and expansion, product, unit, and price-related categories. The study contributes by examining initiatives with different actors than retailers and within the context of a developing country, finding synergies and divergences with previous studies. In addition, new food waste solutions categories emerged and complement the analysis.

This multiple case study explores how two middle school social studies teachers enact a district mandated unit on the Islamic Empire. Using Cunningham’s division of influences on teacher practices,...

Case study has been one of the most often used qualitative research methodologies in the field of education at all levels – from preschool to adult. Yet the number of available resources for case study researchers—be they emerging or experienced—is still limited. This paper will review the definition of the case study method as well as some of the methodological variations that a case study may take. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the methodology of case study as well as to provide the reader with ideas for how to apply this methodology within different contexts within the field of educational research.

Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a chronic condition of swelling due to lymphatic impairment and is characterized by edema and fibro-adipose tissue deposition. LE may be caused by an anomalous development of the lymphatic system, known as primary LE, or may develop secondary to traumatic, infectious, or other external events. Knowledge is increasing about the plural and bidirectional relationship between LE and obesity. The rate of obesity is increasing worldwide, and bariatric surgery offers the most effective and durable treatment, as this surgery exhibits positive effects on many obesity-related diseases. We explored whether bariatric surgery could improve leg volumes in morbidly obese LE patients. Patients: Between 2013 and 2019, 829 patients were hospitalized in our Center of Expertise for Lymphovascular Medicine for intensive treatment of their LE. Nine patients with end-stage primary, secondary, or obesity-induced LE underwent a bariatric procedure related to their morbid obesity. Methods and Results: Data concerning age, gender, medical diagnosis, LE stage, type of bariatric treatment, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and limb volumes were retrospectively collected from the patient files. At the individual patient level, body weight, BMI, leg volumes, and their percent reduction between presurgery and postsurgery were calculated. At the group level, paired sample t-tests were conducted to compare the mean body weight, BMI, and volumes of both legs between postsurgery and presurgery. The data demonstrate a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, and leg volumes in morbidly obese end-stage primary, secondary, and obesity-induced LE patients following bariatric surgery. Conclusions: Our multiple case study indicates that bariatric surgery provides a good indication for concomitant treatment of morbid obesity and LE.

In a theory-driven, qualitative, multiple-case study, we examined the implementation of national dementia plans (NDPs) in Denmark, Germany, and Italy to determine how stakeholders involved in implementing the NDPs evaluate contextual factors in light of the World Health Organization’s seven action areas of dementia-focused policy. To analyse the NDPs, we used a driver diagram of large-scale change and conducted both document analysis and semi-structured interviews, after which we performed three-way open coding to analyse the methods. The results show that the implementation of NDPs has increased awareness of dementia in all three countries by positioning the disease as a national public health concern. The study also reveals that resources, the use of change theory, and the monitoring of implementation and fragmentation are crucial factors to consider for countries when implementing NDPs. Although stakeholders find the NDPs useful, many challenges remain for their successful implementation due to the highly limited means for implementation and evaluation. Moreover, present NDPs all lack a communication plan that encompasses all layers of society to address ways of achieving change. Patients with dementia, and their informal caregivers, should be included more in the design, implementation, and evaluation of NDPs in order to improve their usefulness and effectiveness.

[EN] Environmental Sustainability (ES) is a growing concern for society’s development while identifying companies’ need to define sustainability-based strategies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have an essential role; generating more than 60% of employment in Europe and Latin America. Numerous research exists regarding large companies’ situation on environmental topics, yet little exists on SMEs at the practical and theoretical levels. Thus, determining the variables that affect the application of ES is very relevant. This study analyzes in-depth ES factors and drivers from the SMEs’ perspective, exploring the variables influencing their implementation in these companies. The methodology employed is in-depth interviews, applied to a sample of 17 SMEs in Spain and 25 SMEs in Chile. The main findings suggest that Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Customer Orientation (CO), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) influence ES adoption in both countries, showing similarities in the driving reasons behind them, but with certain differences in their implementation (affected by institutional context influences). Furthermore, the level of knowledge affects decision-making related to the development of high-level environmental practices. [ES] La Sostenibilidad Medioambiental (SM) es una preocupación creciente para el desarrollo de la sociedad mientras se identifica la necesidad de que las empresas definan estrategias basadas en la sostenibilidad. Las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PYMES) tienen un papel fundamental; el sector genera más del 60% del empleo en Europa y América Latina. Existen numerosas investigaciones científicas sobre la situación de las grandes empresas en temas medioambientales, sin embargo, la literatura sobre PYMES es escasa a nivel práctico y teórico. De esta manera, determinar las variables que afectan a la aplicación de SM es muy relevante. Este estudio analiza en profundidad los factores e impulsores de la SM desde la perspectiva de las PYMES, explorando las variables que pueden influir en su implementación en estas empresas. La metodología empleada son entrevistas en profundidad, aplicadas a una muestra de 17 directores de PYMES españolas y 25 directores de PYMES chilenas. Los principales hallazgos sugieren que la Orientación Emprendedora (OE), la Orientación al Cliente (OC) y la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) influyen en la adopción de la SM en ambos países, manifestando similitudes en los motivos que las impulsan en ambos países, pero ciertas diferencias en su ejecución, donde influye el contexto institucional. Adicionalmente, el nivel de conocimiento afecta la toma de decisiones relacionada con el de desarrollo de practicas medioambientales de alto nivel. The first author was financially supported by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID)/Scholarship Program/DOCTORADO BECAS CHILE/2018–72190184 doctoral grant. We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and the associate editor for their helpful comments in the review process. Maximiliano Velasco, an English-language professional reviewer, corrected the English in the development process of this article, and Pablo Lillo, a professional digital content creator, generates the article figures.

Private equity (PE) firms take an active role in the control of invested organizations. However, despite the growing economic importance of PE financing, there has been limited investigation into the control mechanisms used to manage these relationships. Most prior research examines PE as an alternate structure of governance, typically in comparison to governance of publicly owned firms, without providing detail on the actual mechanisms used in managing these relationships. Through multiple case study analyses this study explores the forms of control that are exercised by PE firms and the factors associated with their relative importance in the PE relationship. The study finds that while financial contracting plays an important role for control, there is significant variation in the formal control mechanisms that PE firms employ. Additionally, some PE firms rely heavily on social mechanisms to achieve control outcomes. The study points to some of the factors that are related to these differences, and thus provides an initial framework for understanding variation in the control of PE relationships.

To explore perceptions of bullying in children’s football (8-13 years) based on the experiences of players, families, and coaches. We conducted a multiple case study. Participants from four footbal...

PurposeThe study analyses how Industry 4.0 and underlying digital technologies influence the design of ecosystems in global value chains (GVCs).Design/methodology/approachA qualitative-exploratory research design is used. It deploys a multiple case study based on semi-structured interviews with 73 German managers of multinational enterprises. Applying a qualitative content analysis, the expert interviews are inductively analyzed and triangulated with secondary data to develop a synthesized data structure.FindingsThe analysis reveals a general tendency towards decentralization of value chain activities. Depending on the nature of each activity and several contextual factors, however, hybrids between centralization and decentralization of processes can be observed in Industry 4.0 environments. Consequences for global ecosystems are altered cooperation with business partners, new organizational forms and novel market environments.Research limitations/implicationsGiven inherent limitations in scope and methodology, the study calls for cross-industry and cross-country analyses. Further studies should research implications of Industry 4.0 changes in ecosystems and GVCs, and the role digital platforms can play in this context.Practical implicationsThe results help companies to analyze and adapt their role in ecosystems and associated GVC activities to Industry 4.0 environments, thus staying competitive in changing market conditions.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to empirically investigate the influence of Industry 4.0 on ecosystems embedded in GVCs. Reflecting existing company environments, it adds an international and company-external perspective to Industry 4.0 research.

This paper presents cooperative design as method to address the needs of SMEs to gain sufficient knowledge about new technologies in order for them to decide about adoption for knowledge management. We developed and refined a cooperative design method iteratively over nine use cases. In each use case, the goal was to match the SME's knowledge management needs with offerings of new (to the SMEs) technologies. Where traditionally, innovation adoption and diffusion literature assume new knowledge to be transferred from knowledgeable stakeholders to less knowledgeable stakeholders, our method is built on cooperative design. In this, the relevant knowledge is constructed by the SMEs who wish to decide upon the adoption of novel technologies through the cooperative design process. The presented method is constituted of an analysis stage based on activity theory and a design stage based on paper prototyping and design workshops. In all nine cases, our method led to a good understanding a) of the domain by researchers - validated by the creation of meaningful first-version paper prototypes and b) of new technologies - validated by meaningful input to design and plausible assessment of technologies' benefit for the respective SME. Practitioners and researchers alike are invited to use the here documented tools to cooperatively match the domain needs of practitioners with the offerings of new technologies. The value of our work lies in providing a concrete implementation of the cooperative design paradigm that is based on an established theory (activity theory) for work analysis and established tools of cooperative design (paper prototypes and design workshops as media of communication); and a discussion based on nine heterogeneous use cases.

This article discusses promising practices used by employees and volunteers in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in countering the mistreatment of older adults (CMOA). The findings presented here are the result of research on the material and financial actions of NPOs in CMOA, based on multiple case studies in five active Canadian NPOs in the framework of CMOA. The body of data comprises organizational documentation from NPOs, socio-demographic questionnaires and group or individual interviews with 64 participants (management volunteers, employees, field volunteers and accompanied older adults). Themed intra- and intercase analyses were carried out. Some key challenges faced by the active NPOs in CMOA include the continuity of follow-ups, difficulty in reaching older adults and obstacles to requesting help. Promising practices that have been implemented to contribute to the response to these challenges, such as collaboration practices, proactive prevention activities, canvassing and shelter services, are considered.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to uncover ways to enhance the growth of micro tailoring businesses by assessing the socio-economic and socio-cultural environments at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative research design involving a multiple case study with data from semi-structured interview and non-participant observation. Findings The study reveals how micro tailoring businesses modify tailoring practices to cope with the religious practice of seclusion and use entrepreneurial actions to deal with unstable electricity, inadequate finance and conditions of extreme poverty that limit the growth of micro tailoring businesses at the BOP. Research limitations/implications The qualitative nature of this study with a focus on micro tailoring businesses in BOP context could limit the generalization of findings. However, replication of the study can be done in other contexts to validate the findings. Practical implications The study shows the need for entrepreneurial leadership which continually modifies tailoring practices in ways that sustain tailoring businesses and circumvent the possibility of failure in adverse socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions. Originality/value This study is the first to unravel the experiences of micro tailoring businesses at the BOP. Past studies have assessed barriers to the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in general, but this study uncovers the distinct aspects of tailoring business in a largely under-researched context.

ObjectivesWhile patients’ symptom experiences have been widely investigated, there is a lack of contextualized studies investigating how symptoms circulate in the medical consultation, how patients present them, what they convey, how physicians respond, and how patients and physicians negotiate with each other to find ways to address them. The aim of this study is to explore patients and physicians handling of symptoms throughout oncological consultations with a multiple case study approach.MethodsFive consultations, purposively selected from an existing dataset of audiotaped consultations with patients with advanced cancer, were analyzed by means of an inductive analytical approach based on a sensitive framework from the literature.ResultsPatients’ symptoms showed multiple dimensions such as medical, cognitive, emotional, psychological, interactional, symbolic, experiential, and existential.Significance of resultsDifferent symptom dimensions remained unnoticed and unaddressed in the consultations. The physician-centered symptom approach that was observed leads to consumed time and missed opportunities for relationship building with the patient. Physicians showed a lack of sensitivity regarding the multiple dimensions of symptoms. Based on the findings, strategies for a more comprehensive symptom approach can be conceived.

La evolución de Internet y la penetración de las redes sociales ha modificado la forma de comunicar que tenía la moda. Atrás han quedado modelos de comunicación que situaban a los medios tradicionales en el centro de su gestión estratégica. Las nuevas tendencias contextualizan las redes sociales como eje vertebrador de la relación con los públicos. Las bodas reales son una herramienta fundamental para las firmas de moda participantes en el evento gracias a su amplio potencial como instrumento para difundir mensajes. El texto apuesta por el estudio de caso múltiple para vincular las principales marcas de moda internacionales con los eventos especiales y acude al análisis de contenido de los perfiles de redes sociales en los que las firmas protagonistas tienen presencia. Los resultados revelan cómo los públicos reaccionan a los esfuerzos comunicativos realizados y lo pertinente de recurrir a estos actos para mejorar el compromiso con los stakeholders. The speedy evolution of Internet and the penetration of social networks has changed the way of communicating that was usually had the fashion. Gone are the models of communication that placed traditional media at the centre of their strategic management. The new trends contextualize social networks as the backbone of the relationship with audiences. In this sense, real weddings have become a fundamental tool for the fashion brands participating in the event thanks to their wide potential as an instrument to spread the messages. The text opts for multiple case studies to link the main international fashion brands with special events and goes to the content analysis of the profiles of social networks in which the leading firms have a presence. The results reveal how audiences react to the communication efforts made and the pertinence of resorting to these acts to improve engagement with stakeholders.

PurposeThis study aims to identify the main reasons for forming a cooperation agreement in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and understand the role of reputation in this business process.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve these objectives, a qualitative research approach was adopted, specifically the case study method. The context of analysis studied here was formed of five SMEs (cases) located in an inland region of Portugal. Data-collecting instruments were individual interviews and documentary analysis, and the data treatment technique was content analysis.FindingsFrom the results obtained, it is concluded that SMEs have different reasons for entering a cooperation agreement and that the criterion of reputation, in the partner selection process, was quite frequently mentioned. In addition, the study found trust to be another important criterion when choosing a partner. This means that besides the resources a partner may possess, the most important aspect is that there should be mutual trust.Practical implicationsThis study seeks to help SME managers to characterise and understand the phenomenon of cooperation and show the main criteria to consider when choosing their partner(s).Originality/valueThis study is innovative because it will help to characterise and understand business cooperation in SMEs and contribute to choosing a suitable partner, so that SMEs can achieve good performance, major market expansion and improve relations with their partners, in an increasingly competitive environment.

PurposeIn this paper family entrepreneurship and its banking support in Kuwait is discussed, as one of the wealthiest countries in the world. In the beginning is provided an overview of the Kuwaiti context of entrepreneurship and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), followed by discussion of family businesses' profile and benefits to the economy and society. The paper discusses the banking sector in Kuwait and its contribution to the development of family entrepreneurship and the small business sector in Kuwait.Design/methodology/approachFor purposes of this study a multiple case study approach and a snowballing sample was used.FindingsEven that, Kuwait is considered as an Islamic country, from the answers and comments that were received from our research, we concluded that most of the family businesses cooperate with conventional banks, instead of Islamic banks.Practical implicationsSeveral supporting products are described and analysed in this paper, which can help family business and SMEs' owners where to address when a support is needed. Also are provided information on similarities and differences between Islamic and conventional banking.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first papers that discusses family businesses and entrepreneurship in Kuwait and the support they receive from Islamic and conventional banks. It provides original quotes from family business owners regarding this topic.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the early phase of apparel design process and how professional designers develop their kernel idea by sketching and how visual sources stimulate their ideation. Three designers were asked to design a piece of outerwear while thinking aloud in an experimental design session. The data (i.e. verbal and video protocols as well as material written and drawn by the participants) was analysed with qualitative content analysis and by constructing idea development diagrams. The results indicated variations in the (1) use of photographs as sources of inspiration, (2) emphasis on simplification and association in interpretation and adaptation of these sources, and (3) designers’ primary generators. Our findings on how expert designers utilise visual material for example to adapt visual details into their ideas or to envision a suitable fabric could be used to give illustrative examples for students of apparel design.

Innovating business processes by means of emerging technologies may lead to significant productivity increases and economic growth. However, each innovation involves risks and creates uncertainties, especially when this is done with still immature technologies. By conducting an expert panel followed by multiple case studies, we have compiled a list of frequently occurring obstacles with lessons learned. By offering a practical framework that outlines good practices per organization type, we acknowledge different approaches in achieving digital process innovation.

This study aims to understand the routine of the street outreach office team regarding the attention paid to the homeless. It is a holistic qualitative multiple case study, based on Michel Maffesoli's Comprehensive and Quotidian Sociology. It was performed using two key informants and 20 professionals of the street outreach office of two capitals in the South of Brazil. For data analysis, we used the Thematic Content Analysis

PurposeThe paper analyzes four cases of IAS adoption (Aérospatiale in 1989; Usinor in 1991; Coflexip in 1993; and Péchiney in 1995) to better understand the instructional logics behind the use of alternative or additional standards by French companies in the early 1990s.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs multiple case studies to explain how and why the heterogeneity of adoption (IAS versus US GAAP) is a response to institutional complexity.FindingsThis research shows that French companies adopted IAS as long as they were not required to use US GAAP by their financial backers. The results highlight how the companies combine logics to respond to the complexification of the field. The authors outline how endorsement of logics by outside carriers (auditors, financial analysts, stock exchange commissions) and framing of logics by managers evolve in time and space within this complexification process.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the institutional complexity literature in that it focuses on distinct organizational responses to multiple institutional logics. More precisely, the choice of standards in primary consolidated accounts are viewed as an organizational response to compatible and conflicting demands from several levels: home countries, transnational areas and host countries with the aim of raising funds in the US.Originality/valueThis research makes a distinct link between institutional complexity and international accounting standards and US GAAP.

Purpose: Mathematics is a globally compulsory school subject and plays a fundamental role in an individual’s daily life activities. Elementary school teachers’ instructional practices are key in fostering among learners the foundational competences in basic number operations. This study explored the instructional practices Primary One teachers in Busiro North and Luuka North Counties can adopt from each other in order to enhance their learners’ mathematics competence.Methodology: A qualitative approach with an observational multiple case study design was employed to obtain data from 74 purposively selected teachers. Data was collected through non-participant observation. Each teacher was observed teaching mathematics to Primary One learners and interviewed after the lesson. Data obtained was analysed descriptively.Findings: Findings indicate that teachers use songs, rhymes and games involving mathematical concepts, in both English language and the local languages to help learners attain competence. Teachers have also embraced use of locally available materials like woven plastic propylene bags (buveera) and banana fibres to make and decorate charts in the classrooms’ mathematics learning areas. Attention grabbers like “Good children, Good teacher”; “We, Work”; are common verbal interactions between teacher and learners when the class seems to lose concentration. Teachers recognise learners’ efforts when they correctly answer oral, written or practical tasks by asking the class to give a classmate “flowers” or “the pa-pa-pa clap”.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: For teachers to help learners’ master mathematical concepts and augment their competence, they should build on learners’ experience and prior knowledge, give learners opportunities to explain their mathematical ideas and use the think – pair – share strategy during problem solving.

This paper examines the practice of open innovation by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry. We adopted a multiple case study approach and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with four food SMEs in the Flanders region of Belgium. The results of the analysis show that food SMEs practice open innovation mostly through inbound open innovation activities rather than outbound, mainly due to lack of sufficient resources. Food SMEs typically lack sufficient financial capital, technology, and human capital. Within inbound open innovation activities, collaboration with organizations is found to be a key element for food SMEs’ internal development and innovation of new products.

This exploratory multiple case study investigated how preschool-age, Spanish-English emergent bilingual (EB) children with diverse language profiles leverage their discursive resources to engage wi...

A key process in the discipline of science is argumentation, which has recently been receiving more attention in K-12 classrooms. The purpose of this multiple case study was to concurrently examine...

Secondary science teachers participated in a socio-scientific issues (SSI) professional development (PD) during which they co-designed SSI curriculum units. In this qualitative multiple case study,...

Over past few decades, research on authentic materials has been focused on helping teachers provide their learners� teaching materials. Most of the researches in this area explore the benefits and drawbacks of authentic materials utilization in the classroom. This multiple case study aims at investigating benefits of and barriers in using authentic materials presented as a digital media used in their EFL classrooms. Document and an interview were employed to reveal the teachers� perception. The findings indicate although it was considered difficult to find and organize, digitized authentic materials helped teachers in teaching English as a Foreign Language for learners with various levels and backgrounds. Its use could help teachers motivate and promote their students� interest in learning. However, disselection and misuse of it might not meet students� needs and interest in learning. Good teachers� capacity in finding and using the digitized authentic materials could encourage better learning process and students� better learning achievement. Therefore, it is recommended that for the further study, learners� perception also need to be explored.

In the past decades, the unprecedented number of women in entrepreneurship has been overwhelmingly increasing. This was fueled by their motivation to earn independently and to uplift their economic condition. This paper magnified the stories of success and failures of women micro entrepreneurs in managing their ‘sari-sari’ stores. Informants of this multiple case study were five women micro-entrepreneurs who had been in business for at least five years. An in-depth interview was done and cross case analysis was employed. Results revealed that new investments, enhanced family income, productivity, and resourcefulness were the stories that they highlighted as success. On the stories of failures, they emphasized that business breakdowns and personal crisis once confronted their operation. They also revealed that failures framed them to be determined, faithful, diligent, and optimistic. Lastly, they shared significant insights that women entrepreneurs must be business oriented, develop people skills, and employ a strong will power. These women entrepreneurs have their own way of defining moments relative to success and failures in micro entrepreneurship. What is worth noting is the fact that the innumerable failures which confronted them shaped the entrepreneurial traits they now possessed and achieved the optimum success in their entrepreneurial journey.

PurposeThe project “Public schools in change – collaboration as a resource” was aimed to strengthen professional capital (social- human- and decision-capital) in public schools and as a part of this to strengthen collaboration within teams. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the approach of linking development of professional capital to the development of team competence through facilitating and discuss the adequacy of the methods used to fulfil the purpose.Design/methodology/approachThis study was designed as a multiple case intervention implemented at four worksites. It was organized as a course consisting of four sessions among 15–20 team coordinators from each school unit. The research group provided insights and methods to increase the team’s ability to manage tasks and cooperate.FindingsBased on observations of team meetings, the study provides a discussion on the usefulness of the approach of linking team competence and professional capital. Both at theoretical and practical levels, the study finds it is meaningful to combine facilitating as methods to ensure the creation of value in organizational teamwork, in general, with the concept of professional capital pointing on the quality of the core task and particularly developed within an educational context.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provide a presentation of two theoretical frameworks and a discussion of the adequacy of linking these frameworks to the development of team competences in a school context.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that organizations and educational institutions (of teachers, physicians, and social workers) may benefit from linking professional capital and facilitating and thereby provide employees and students training in professional collaboration.Social implicationsIn a still more complex society, collaboration is crucial. The study suggests ways to improve collaboration, quality of the core task along with the relational dimensions in the psychosocial work environment.Originality/valueDevelopment of professional capital through increased team competences and facilitating skills represents a new and promising approach with theoretical as well as practical implications within a school context. Indeed, not only school teams but also teams in other organizations dealing with social- task- and contextual complexity can benefit from the insights and experiences of this study.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the dynamic managerial capabilities (DMC) of the spouse (either working or non-working) of a family firm owner on firm innovativeness. This paper assesses the role of three elements of the DMC of owners' spouses (emotion regulation, conflict resolution and networking capabilities) that are bridged by familiness on family firm innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the results of a multiple case study. Twelve cases were selected: six innovative and six non-innovative family firms in Lithuania. The study design enabled a comparison not only of innovative and non-innovative family firms but also of non-working and working spouses of family firm owners.FindingsThe findings show that family firm owners' spouses contribute to firm innovativeness through their DMC in terms of emotion regulation, conflict resolution and networking capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsThis research focused on a sample of firms in Lithuania. Future studies should broaden the research to other countries.Originality/valueThis research provides empirical evidence of the hidden role of the DMC of family firm owners' spouses and their contribution to firm innovativeness. This paper extends the application of DMC to family business research.

The electronics industry in Guadalajara, Mexico, experienced significant growth during the 1990s. However, the development of electronic design technological capabilities in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA) is reduced compared to the growth of the electronics sector. Furthermore, in local small and medium-sized businesses (SMBS) performing electronic design activities the number of employees working in this type of work is low, compared to the size of the local electronics sector. This paper tries to understand how social capital and core competencies contribute to developing electronic design capabilities in SMBS in this region. A multiple case study of seven local businesses that execute or provide electronic design services in the GMA was conducted. The findings include the role social capital plays in attracting talent, acquiring knowledge and creating a network of customers, along with its longevity; they also include the importance of identifying core capabilities that generate sustained technological advantage and the role played by Regional Innovation Systems (RIS). RESUMEN: La industria electrónica de Guadalajara, México, experimentó un crecimiento significativo durante la década de 1990. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de capacidades tecnológicas de diseño electrónico en el Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara (AMG) es reducida si se compara con el crecimiento del sector electrónico. Además, las pymes locales que realizan actividades de diseño electrónico cuentan con un pequeño número de empleados dedicados a este tipo de trabajo, en comparación con el tamaño del sector electrónico local. Este artículo busca comprender la manera en que el capital social y las competencias claves contribuyen al desarrollo de capacidades de diseño electrónico en las pymes de esta región. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un estudio de caso múltiple de siete empresas locales que realizan o prestan servicios de diseño electrónico en el AMG. Los resultados dan cuenta del papel que juega el capital social en la atracción de talento, la adquisición de conocimiento, la creación de redes de clientes y la continuidad de dichas redes a través del tiempo. Así mismo, los hallazgos permiten evidenciar la importancia de identificar las capacidades centrales que generan una ventaja tecnológica sostenida y el papel de estas en los Sistemas de Innovación Regional (SIR). RESUMO: A indústria eletrônica de Guadalajara, México, experimentou um crescimento significativo durante a década de 1990. Contudo, o desenvolvimento de capacidades tecnológicas de desenho eletrônico na Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara (AMG) é reduzido se comparado com o crescimento do setor eletrônico. Além disso, as PMES locais que realizam atividades de desenho eletrônico contam com um pequeno número de empregados dedicados a esse tipo de trabalho, em comparação com o tamanho do setor eletrônico local. Este artigo busca compreender como o capital social e as competências básicas contribuem para o desenvolvimento de capacidades de desenho eletrônico nas PMES dessa região. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo de caso múltiplo de sete empresas locais que realizam ou prestam serviços de desenho eletrônico na AMG. Os resultados indicam o papel que o capital social desempenha na atração de talento, na aquisição de conhecimento, na criação de redes de clientes e na permanência dessas redes no tempo. Ainda, os achados evidenciam a importância de identificar as capacidades centrais que geram uma vantagem tecnológica sustentada e o papel delas nos Sistemas de Inovação Regional. RESUME: L'industrie électronique de Guadalajara, au Mexique, a connu une croissance importante au cours des années 90. Cependant, le développement des capacités technologiques de design électronique dans la région métropolitaine de Guadalajara (RMG) est limité par rapport à la croissance du secteur électronique. En outre, les PME locales qui mènent des activités de design électronique ont un petit nombre d'employés dédiés à ce type de travail, par rapport à la taille du secteur électronique local. Cet article cherche à comprendre comment le capital social et les compétences de base contribuent au développement des capacités de design électronique dans les PME de cette région. Pour ce faire, on a mené une étude de cas multiple de sept entreprises locales qui fournissent ou offrent des services de design électronique à la RMG. Les résultats montrent le rôle du capital social dans l'attraction des talents, l'acquisition de connaissances, la création de réseaux-clients et la pérennité de ces réseaux dans le temps. De même, les résultats montrent l'importance d'identifier les capacités centrales qui engendrent un avantage technologique durable et leur rôle dans les systèmes régionaux d'innovation (RIS).

espanolEste articulo esta basado en resultados de los proyectos investigativos “Orientacoes pedagogicas no estagio supervisionado de educacao fisica na Colombia, Brasil, Argentina e Chile” y “Sentidos de los modos corporales y saberes docentes del practicum en Educacion Fisica, Recreacion y Deporte de la Universidad de Caldas”, motivados por el interes de comprender el papel y las caracteristicas del profesor-asesor en la formacion del practicante-profesor, en el contexto del practicum de la Licenciatura en Educacion Fisica, Recreacion y Deporte. Se trata de un diseno investigativo apoyado en el enfoque cualitativo, de corte historico-descriptivo-hermeneutico, con estudio de caso multiple, tecnicas de entrevista en profundidad y analisis documental. En este contexto, los resultados presentados se centran en el rol de profesor-asesor desde la reflexion, accion, orientacion, asesoria y relacion con actores del practicum, para aportar en el conocimiento de las practicas docentes, el rol de profesor-asesor y la vision de los practicantes-profesores sobre este, y como se articulan saberes docentes facilitando acciones didacticas y fortaleciendo la identidad docente. EnglishThis article is based on the results of the research projects “Orientacoes pedagogicas no estagio supervisionado de educacao fisica na Colombia, Brasil, Argentina e Chile” and “Senses of the body modes and teaching knowledge of the practicum in Physical Education, Recreation and Sports of the Universidad de Caldas”, motivated by the interest in understanding the role and characteristics of the teacher-advisor in the training of the practitioner-teacher, in the context of the practicum of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, Recreation and Sport. It is a research design supported by the qualitative approach, of historical-descriptive-hermeneutic nature, with multiple case study, in-depth interview techniques and documentary analysis. In this context, the results presented focus on the role of teacher-advisor from the reflection, action, orientation, advice and relationship with those involved in the practicum, to contribute to the knowledge of teaching practices, the role of teacher-advisor and the view of the practitioners-teachers on this, and how teaching knowledge come together facilitating didactic actions and strengthening the teaching identity.

Prison-based dog training programs (DTPs) aim to improve successful rehabilitation after detention. However, empirical evidence for their effectiveness is lacking. To evaluate the effectiveness of a DTP—Dutch Cell Dogs (DCD)—on externalizing behavior, stress, self-esteem, empathy, and treatment motivation, a pilot study with a Multiple Case Experimental Design in six adolescents residing in a juvenile justice center (JJC) was conducted. Results did not provide convincing evidence for DCD’s effectiveness. Further research is needed to determine whether and for whom DCD could be a useful addition to regular JJC programming.

In this multiple case study, I examine relationships among the essay genre, contextual influences, sociocultural resources, and choices made by four adult English learners enrolled in an English composition course at a community college. My primary objective is to provide an expanded view of the writing processes used by adult English learners. The research draws heavily on participants’ sociocultural realities before and after their arrival in the United States. The patterns in the data showed that the essay genre along with context significantly contributed to participants’ agentive capacity. The essay genre, in particular, determined the types of competencies they needed to demonstrate, while contextual influences shaped the available resources and their access to those resources.

Content-area standards foreground the importance of reading and writing across the disciplines. With this in mind, it is important to examine the beliefs and practices of teachers who successfully ...

PurposeMany organizations report difficulties in integrating lean. A possible cause could be that methods and tools do not support each other. The purpose of this research is, therefore, to explore the nature of the connections within the system. Understanding these provides practitioners with a better way of defining their system and offers researchers a conceptual model with a new way of understanding a company-specific production system (XPS).Design/methodology/approachThe study is designed as a multiple case study with three organizations and, in total, 25 lean experts serving as respondents.FindingsThe connections between the elements of an XPS act as a duality based on a problem–solution (P–S) relation. These are categorized according to complexity and can be mapped into a conceptual model, where the connections can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide a method to analyze causes and effects in an XPS and a conceptual model. Given the limitations of a multiple case study, future research should explore connections depending on a broader variety of contextual conditions.Practical implicationsThe results present a way to avoid a cherry-picking problem through understanding connections between elements in an XPS. This provides a new way to understand the weaknesses of an XPS.Originality/valueThe research provides a new approach with insights on how to conduct research in lean production by facilitating how to understand and interpret connections between elements in a system.

Kitting is a materials-feeding principle commonly used with mixed-model assembly, but literature is lacking with respect to how kit quality can be supported. The purpose of this paper is to create an understanding of the links between kit preparation design aspects and kit preparation error types, that can be useful to support kit quality. The paper draws on empirical data from a multiple case study in the automotive industry to study how typical kit errors are linked to eight kit preparation design aspects: location, work organisation, storage policy, batching policy, storage packaging, kit carrier and container, picking information system, and error communication. The findings suggest several opportunities related to kit preparation design aspects for preventing kit errors and facilitating kit error corrections. The paper extends earlier knowledge and can support kit quality of industrial kit preparation.

This study investigates absorptive capacity efficacy in six small and medium enterprises in highly dynamic industries. Findings show that the multi-disciplinary nature of the recipient team improve...

To understand mental illness in cultural contexts, research should focus on locally informed concepts of illness and the lived experiences of such conditions. Understanding mental illness, its prevalence, and its influence on people’s lives in Namibia represents one such context where attention to the lived experience of mental illness remains understudied. The purpose of the current study was to build upon ethnographic findings about mental illness as madness ( eemwengu) among the Namibian Aawambo. To that end, a multiple case study design was used to explore the lived experience of being omunanamwengu (the mad one). Data were collected from four cases that were bound by the experience of mental illness. Within each case, the individual experiencing illness ( omunanamwengu), family members, and both omunanamwengu and family members were interviewed formally (via a semi-structured interview protocol) or informally due to participants’ preferences for not being recorded. Using Stake’s suggested approach to multiple-case study cross-case analysis, each individual case is described and cross-case themes (Development and Symptoms of Mental Illness; Marginalization and Omunanamwengu; Family Roles in the Lives of the Distressed and Eemwengu; Belief in Treatment) were identified. Findings are discussed in light of the role of beliefs in treatment as well as family involvement, the potential influence of discrimination on mental illness, and implications for practice and cross-cultural psychology.

Engineering of modern embedded systems requires complex technical, managerial and operational processes. To cope with the complexity, modeling is a commonly used approach in the embedded software industry. The modeling approaches in embedded software vary since the characteristics of modeling such as purpose, medium type and life cycle phase differ among systems and industrial sectors. The objective of this paper is to detail the use of a characterization model MAPforES (“Modeling Approach Patterns for Embedded Software”). This paper presents the results of applying MAPforES in multiple case studies. The applications are performed in three sectors of the embedded software industry: defense and aerospace, automotive and transportation, and consumer electronics. A series of both structured and semi-structured interviews with 35 embedded software professionals were conducted as part of the case studies. The characterization model was successfully applied to these cases. The results show that identifying individual patterns provides insight for improving both individual behavior and the behavior of projects and organizations.