16567: Purposeful Selection and Saturation in Qualitative Research – Discussions on the Levels of Analysis

Qualitative research has seen significant growth in management studies over the past decades, raising important questions about purposeful case selection and saturation. While these criteria are frequently mentioned in scholarly work, detailed justifications and methodological rationales are often lacking. The workshop begins by introducing and explicating these core concepts, incorporating insights from disciplines beyond management research. A key focus is placed on the challenges associated with the level of analysis in management studies. This aspect is crucial as cases are not typically focusing individuals, but aggregated individuals or collective entities, such as units, organizations, or types of organizations. Following this, we provide a concise review of how prior studies have addressed purposeful case selection and saturation. Particular attention is given to seminal methodological frameworks, including the Gioia method, the Eisenhardt approach, and flexible pattern-matching techniques. In the interactive segment of the workshop, participants engage in roundtable discussions to share challenges and solutions they have encountered in their own research. These discussions are organized around thematic topics, such as business model levels, interorganizational dynamics, and international contexts. The facilitators support the discussions, and each group is tasked with summarizing their findings and outcomes to foster collective learning and further dialogue.