The selection of case studies: strategies and their applications to IS implementation case studies

Abstract

Case study research by definition is well suited to the study of IS implementation, especially when
\ncontext is important. Furthermore, its products are highly relevant and therefore they appeal to IS
\npractitioners, an audience for which the IS literature has been critiqued of ignoring. While the value of
\nsingle case research is methodologically viable in the study of critical cases, the multiple case study
\napproach is believed to be more appropriate to the study of typical cases of IS implementations. However,
\nthe IS literature provides little guidance on strategies for case study selection, particularly for multiple
\ncase studies. More important, is the need to provide the rational for case selection that relates these
\nsuggested strategies to the particular objectives of the case research inquiry. The purpose of this study is
\nto fill this gap by providing a review of strategies for single and multiple case study selection in the
\ncontext of systems implementation. Furthermore, the application of these guidelines in a multiple case
\nstudy of strategic decision making of enterprise systems implementations will be illustrated.