• Journal article

Case Study Research on Innovation Systems: Paradox, Dialectical Analysis and Resolution

Fragkandreas, T. 2025. Forthcoming. Case Study Research on Innovation Systems: Paradox, Dialectical Analysis and Resolution. Research Policy. Forthcoming.

TitleCase Study Research on Innovation Systems: Paradox, Dialectical Analysis and Resolution
TypeJournal article
AuthorsFragkandreas, T.
Abstract

This paper deals with a largely unnoticed methodological paradox concerning the scientific status of case study research on innovation systems (ISs). While case study
research constitutes the methodological catalyst to the genesis and establishment of the ISs approach as one of the most widely used theoretical and policy-relevant perspectives
on innovation in the social sciences, many ISs scholars believe that this type of research can not infer causality and generality. To heighten our understanding of, as well as
resolve, such an enduring methodological tension, this paper utilises the dialectical method, particularly the analytical triad of thesis, antithesis and synthesis. It shows that
the paradox is attributable to the absence of a compelling antithesis to the deductive thesis, wherein (and grounded in the hypothetico-deductive model of science) case study
research on ISs is incapable of drawing causal, generalisable knowledge. In line with a growing number of critical realist studies on innovation, the paper employs the realist
mode of scientific explanation known as retroduction as a means by which to articulate the retroductive antithesis, whereby case study research on ISs is necessary to learn
about the general aspects of causality, and especially causal mechanisms. The dialectical tension between the two antagonistic theses culminates into an original methodological perspective – the detroductive synthesis, wherein the ability of case study research on ISs
to study causality and generality depends mainly upon the model of science that, either explicitly or implicitly, informs the analysis. Overall, the present paper not only resolves the case study paradox but also enables innovation researchers to reimagine and conduct case study research in a stand-alone, paradox-free, causal explanatory and generalisable way. Thought-provoking implications for the peer-review process and innovation policy evaluation are also discussed.

KeywordsInnovation systems, Case study research, Paradox, Dialectic, Deduction, Retroduction, Detroduction
JournalResearch Policy
Journal citationForthcoming
ISSN0048-7333
Year2025
PublisherElsevier
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)

Related outputs

Innovation (as a Systemic Activity) and Income Inequality: Conceptual Model and Causal Mechanisms
Fragkandreas, T. 2023. Innovation (as a Systemic Activity) and Income Inequality: Conceptual Model and Causal Mechanisms. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4553983

Striking the Golden Mean: Organisational Identity and Innovation in the German Games Industry
Fragkandreas, T. and Storz, C. 2022. Striking the Golden Mean: Organisational Identity and Innovation in the German Games Industry. 34th SASE Annual conference 2022 (Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics). Amsterdam, Netherlands 09 - 11 Jul 2022

Three Decades of Research on Innovation and Inequality
Fragkandreas, T. 2022. Three Decades of Research on Innovation and Inequality. AHE Conference 2022 - Association for Heterodox Economics. SOAS, London, UK 06 - 08 Jul 2022

Three decades of research on innovation and inequality: Causal scenarios, explanatory factors and suggestions
Fragkandreas, T. 2022. Three decades of research on innovation and inequality: Causal scenarios, explanatory factors and suggestions. Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation. 38 (2), pp. 147-193. https://doi.org/10.13169/prometheus.38.2.0147

Innovation Systems and Income Inequality: In Search of Causal Mechanisms
Fragkandreas, T. 2021. Innovation Systems and Income Inequality: In Search of Causal Mechanisms. Birkbeck College, University of London.

"Innovation-Productivity Paradox: Implications for Regional Policy" Background paper for the OECD-EC High-Level Expert Workshop series “Productivity Policy for Places”, March 3 and 5
Fragkandreas, T. 2021. "Innovation-Productivity Paradox: Implications for Regional Policy" Background paper for the OECD-EC High-Level Expert Workshop series “Productivity Policy for Places”, March 3 and 5. Paris OECD Publishing.

Innovation Studies and Policy: A Topic-Sentiment Analysis
Fragkandreas, T., Leitzinger, L. and Liebald, M. 2021. Innovation Studies and Policy: A Topic-Sentiment Analysis. 32nd Annual EAEPE Conference 2020. Online 02 - 04 Sep 2021

Innovation Systems and Inequality
Fragkandreas, T. 2020. Innovation Systems and Inequality. European Association of Evolutionary Political Economy Workshop on Innovation Networks. Stuttgart Feb 2020

Do Innovation Systems Induce Inequality?
Fragkandreas, T. 2020. Do Innovation Systems Induce Inequality? Society for the Advancement of Socioeconomics (SASE) Annual Conference 2020. Online 18 - 21 Jul 2020

Innovation and Inequality: Review and Avenues
Fragkandreas, T. 2020. Innovation and Inequality: Review and Avenues. 32nd Annual Conference of the European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy. (online conference) 02 - 04 Sep 2022

The Paradox of Case Study Research in Innovation Systems Studies: A Dialectical Analysis
Fragkandreas, T. 2020. The Paradox of Case Study Research in Innovation Systems Studies: A Dialectical Analysis. British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference 2020. Alliance Manchester Business School I University of Manchester 02 - 04 Sep 2020 British Academy of Management.

Knowledge Diffusion in Management: Kaizen in Sub-Saharan Africa
Fragkandreas, T. 2020. Knowledge Diffusion in Management: Kaizen in Sub-Saharan Africa. in: Firms, Institutions, and the State in East Asia Marburg Metropolis. pp. 89-110

Critical Realism in Economics: Methodologically Weak or Untapped
Fragkandreas, T. 2019. Critical Realism in Economics: Methodologically Weak or Untapped. 2nd Vienna Conference on Pluralism in Economics. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 15 - 16 Apr 2019

Do Innovation Systems Induce Inequality?
Fragkandreas, T. 2019. Do Innovation Systems Induce Inequality? AFEP-IIPPE International Conference. Lille, France 03 - 05 Jul 2019

Innovation paradoxes: a review and typology of explanations
Fragkandreas, T. 2017. Innovation paradoxes: a review and typology of explanations. Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation. 35 (4), pp. 267-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/08109028.2018.1506620

Innovation and Inequality: An Outline of an Alternative Perspective
Fragkandreas, T. 2016. Innovation and Inequality: An Outline of an Alternative Perspective. 19th Uddevalla Symposium. London, UK 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2016

Two Decades of Research on Innovation Paradoxes: A Review and Directions for Future Research
Fragkandreas, T. 2015. Two Decades of Research on Innovation Paradoxes: A Review and Directions for Future Research. 17th Annual Conference of the Association for Heterodox Economics. Southampton Solent University, Southampton, UK 02 - 04 Jul 2015

When Innovation Does Not Pay Off: Introducing the “European Regional Paradox”
Fragkandreas, Thanos 2013. When Innovation Does Not Pay Off: Introducing the “European Regional Paradox”. European Planning Studies. 21 (12), pp. 2078-2086. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2012.741566

When innovation does not pay-off: A tale of competitiveness in seven European regions
Fragkandreas, T. 2013. When innovation does not pay-off: A tale of competitiveness in seven European regions. 42nd Annual Conference and 3rd Annual Doctoral Colloquium. Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, UK 20 - 22 Aug 2013

Reflections on social capital and economic performance
Fragkandreas, T. 2012. Reflections on social capital and economic performance. International Review of Sociology / Revue Internationale de Sociologie. 22 (2), pp. 259-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/03906701.2012.696968

When Innovation does not Pay-off: An intriguing Observation from the European Regional Innovation Scoreboard
Fragkandreas, T. 2011. When Innovation does not Pay-off: An intriguing Observation from the European Regional Innovation Scoreboard. Annual Conference of the International Association of Critical Realism. Olso, Norway Sep 2011

Is Critical Realism a philosophy in search of a method?
Fragkandreas, T. 2011. Is Critical Realism a philosophy in search of a method? Annual Conference of the International Association of Critical Realism. Olso, Norway Sep 2011

''The Structure of Invention'': A Critical Analysis
Fragkandreas, T. 2011. ''The Structure of Invention'': A Critical Analysis. Discussion Group, Centre for Innovation Management Research, Birkbeck, University of London. London Nov 2011

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/w9w53/case-study-research-on-innovation-systems-paradox-dialectical-analysis-and-resolution


File access - Request a copy

Restricted files

Accepted author manuscript

Under embargo until 16 Nov 2025

Share this

Tweet
Email

Usage statistics

108 total views
1 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.