An Examination of Longitudinal Study Typologies for Business Research

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 24(2), 212-239 (2018)

44 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2021

See all articles by Stefan Linnhoff

Stefan Linnhoff

Murray State University - College of Business

Katherine Taken Smith

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi-College of Business

Murphy Smith

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi-Department of Accounting

Date Written: 2018

Abstract

Longitudinal studies have become a standard methodology for academic research that examines issues in the ever-changing, complex global world of business. In business research, longitudinal studies are particularly effective for measuring how business policies and strategies affect the performance of a business firm over time. The literature’s call for more longitudinal studies runs up against a rather incoherent and potentially confusing use of terminology and typology undermining the accessibility for business academics and practitioners who are not familiar with this area. This study provides a thorough review of longitudinal study typologies, including an annotated, illustrated methodological framework integrating the key facets of observational longitudinal studies. Although the framework is generalisable beyond the behavioural or business context, it refrains from dealing with the specific nuances of areas such as medicine. This review and framework should be beneficial to academics and other researchers in properly describing, setting up, and understanding longitudinal studies.

Keywords: longitudinal studies; observational longitudinal designs; cohort studies

Suggested Citation

Linnhoff, Stefan and Smith, Katherine Taken and Smith, Murphy, An Examination of Longitudinal Study Typologies for Business Research (2018). International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 24(2), 212-239 (2018), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3743048 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3743048

Stefan Linnhoff (Contact Author)

Murray State University - College of Business ( email )

351 Business Building
Murray, KY 42071-3314
United States

Katherine Taken Smith

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi-College of Business ( email )

6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
United States

Murphy Smith

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi-Department of Accounting ( email )

6300 Ocean Dr
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
United States

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