Steps described by Eisenhardt (1989) and corresponding steps employed to build theory from multiple case studies
| Steps (Eisenhardt, 1989) | How this study followed each step |
|---|---|
| 1. Getting started: Defining research questions | This study clearly defines the research question: What and how do key barriers and enablers shape the adoption of technology for managing social sustainability in supply chains? This question informed the case selection and research design |
| 2. Selection of cases | The study intentionally developed a purposive sampling strategy to select cases that strictly align with the research question |
| 3. Developing protocols and instruments | An interview questionnaire was developed based on a thorough review of the current literature on the topic of interest |
| 4. Data collection | Data were collected from participants involved in implementing technology in their respective firms and its impact on social elements of sustainable supply chain management, including labour conditions, a fair wage system, ethical sourcing through monitoring, etc. Analysts triangulated data through secondary means by accessing firms’ websites, policy documents and annual reports |
| 5. Data analysis | Different analysts carried out the data collection to ensure impartiality and objectivity. Multiple case study analyses were preferred over single case studies to ascertain whether studies meet the criteria for trustworthiness (i.e. credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability) as proposed by Guba and Lincoln (1994) |
| 6. Enfolding literature | The relevant and most recent literature on the role of technology within a socially sustainable supply chain was reviewed, supplemented by overarching literature on socially sustainable supply chains. The relevant research gaps were identified, which framed the potential contributions of the study |
| 7. Reaching closure | Theoretical saturation was achieved after 46 interviews. The analysts found no repeated codes after this that could lead to the development of new core categories and variables of interest. The theory emerged from the data analysis rigorously |
| Steps ( | How this study followed each step |
|---|---|
| 1. Getting started: Defining research questions | This study clearly defines the research question: |
| 2. Selection of cases | The study intentionally developed a purposive sampling strategy to select cases that strictly align with the research question |
| 3. Developing protocols and instruments | An interview questionnaire was developed based on a thorough review of the current literature on the topic of interest |
| 4. Data collection | Data were collected from participants involved in implementing technology in their respective firms and its impact on social elements of sustainable supply chain management, including labour conditions, a fair wage system, ethical sourcing through monitoring, etc. Analysts triangulated data through secondary means by accessing firms’ websites, policy documents and annual reports |
| 5. Data analysis | Different analysts carried out the data collection to ensure impartiality and objectivity. Multiple case study analyses were preferred over single case studies to ascertain whether studies meet the criteria for trustworthiness (i.e. credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability) as proposed by |
| 6. Enfolding literature | The relevant and most recent literature on the role of technology within a socially sustainable supply chain was reviewed, supplemented by overarching literature on socially sustainable supply chains. The relevant research gaps were identified, which framed the potential contributions of the study |
| 7. Reaching closure | Theoretical saturation was achieved after 46 interviews. The analysts found no repeated codes after this that could lead to the development of new core categories and variables of interest. The theory emerged from the data analysis rigorously |
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