Towards Formalization of Analytical Approaches to Tackle Issues of Retail Business Models:

Abstract

The importance of business model research has increased with diversification of competition, but the accumulation of empirical research has been relatively slow. This paper discusses the reasons for this trend and then introduces two analytical approaches suitable for academic discussion of business models: Within-case causal inference based on the Process Tracing Method and Qualitative Comparative Analysis. In addition, we discuss how both approaches can break through conventional empirical research on business models.

Keywords

• retail business model
• process tracing method
• within-case causal inference
• qualitative comparative analysis