Exploratory Study on Circular Economy Approaches A Comparative Analysis of Theory and Practice

42 3 Research Method

3.2 Multiple Case Study Approach

For this research project the multiple case approach is selected. Th is approach enables

the researcher fi rstly to investigate multiple cases individually and in depth and

secondly to compare patterns amongst the cases to draw conclusions. Th e multiple

case approach in contrast to the single case analysis facilitates considerably higher

robustness (Yin 2014; Eisenhardt 1989). Th e multiple case study approach can draw

stronger conclusions if cases are carefully selected. In the case of contradicting

fi ndings across cases, this might lead to further investigation and to the discovery

of additional and unexpected results (Yin 2014). When deciding between multiple

and single case study approaches it is important to ensure the availability of the

required resources and also time to really gain a deep understanding of all the cases

and to obtain substantial fi ndings.

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Fig. 3 Research process based on Yin, 2014 and Eisenhardt, 1989

Figure 3 describes a typical multiple case study process. Th e process is based on

the description from Y in ( 2014) and E isenhardt ( 1989) and it depicts the procedure

underlying this research process. Th e following chapter will describe the four steps

in the process following the structure in the fi gure above.

Before outlining the research process in more detail, two central concepts

for the case study approach and their meaning for this research project shall be

explained: ‘case’ and ‘unit of analysis’. Following the defi nition from G rünbaum

( 2007), a distinction between the two concepts is made in which the unit of analysis