Research methodology paths for the agile literature review approach (ALRA): the core-focus-domain view

Research methodology paths for the agile literature review approach (ALRA), as defined by the core-focus-domain composition.

Path 1 [single company level]: a single-case study research: 3 options

Core-focus domain options: 

1a. two items in zone 2

1b. 1 item in zone 2 and 1 item in zone 1, zone 3a or zone 3b.

1c. 1 item in zone 2 only

Other core-focus domain options are not recommended, if they have no zone 2 item as one of the core-focus-domain items.

Path 2: [industry/ business sector level]: use multiple-case study research: 3 options

2a. two items in zone 2

2b. 1 item in zone 2 and 1 item in zone 1, zone 3a or zone 3b.

2c. 1 item in zone 2 only

Other core-focus domain options are not recommended, if no zone 2 item is included  in the core-focus domain.

The underlying rationale: 

1. it is critical to be aware of the organizational capabilities at the individual company and the industry/ business sector levels to investigate a dissertation project capable of producing practical and useful managerial recommendations.

2. Research methodology with the ALRA involves substantial evaluation efforts, as reflected in the high-level research tasks statements, notably " to evaluate........".

3. Research methodology with the ALRA is, at a deeper theoretical level, is grounded on critical systems thinking [this is beyond the research methods syllabus of my MBA students, thus not further discussed in these research projects workshops.]

4. The core-focus domain constitutes the theme focus of the dissertation project, and is reflected in the title of the dissertation project. 50-60% of the research efforts are spent on the core-focus domain.

Other guidelines:

1. The non-core-focus-domain items are useful to help capturing (i) a complicated understanding of the set of management concerns involved and (ii) a complicated intellectual response to the identified set of management concerns.

2. The research methodology in ALRA inevitably is mixed methods research in nature (i.e., using both qualitative and quantitative research).