In defence of the case study methodology for research into strategy practice

Abstract

This paper aims to illustrate how the case study methodology may be used in novel and productive ways for research into strategy practice. Instigated by the quest for a research design that could target the ‘practice’ of strategic information systems planning (SISP), a review of the strategy as practice (SAP) literature uncovered parallels with the SISP domain from a methodological standpoint. A SAP perspective was employed in conjunction with the case study methodology to investigate SISP (the strategy practice) on the part of senior managers (the practitioners) at the meso level (the level of praxis). Ultimately, it was found to offer original insights and uncover valuable new directions for future academic enquiry.