An initial definition of the research question, in at least broad terms is important in building theory from case studies.

A definition of a RQ within a broadc topic permits investigators to specify the kind of organization to be approached, and, once there, the kind of data to be gathered. --> Our RQ allows to focus on different cases, but also to focus on actors outside. We first did a case and then tried to replicate this, with other cases, and examples.

 

A priori specification of constructs can also help to shape the initial design of theory building research. Though it is not common in theory building studies, it is valuable, because it permits researchers to measure constructs more accurately. If these constructs prove to be important as the study progresses, then researchers have a firmer empricical grounding for the emergent theory.

 

However, it is also important to recognize that both are tentative in this type of research