A General Approach to Longitudinal Set-Theoretic Research in Management

Abstract

Management research based on general linear statistical models has been rapidly moving toward a greater and richer use of longitudinal (panel data) econometric methods able to cope with critical issues such as endogeneity and reverse causality. By contrast, set-theoretic empirical research in management, despite its growing diffusion, has been solely focused on cross-sectional analysis to date. This article covers this void in longitudinal set-theoretic research. We provide a general framework in which consistency and coverage can be assessed both cross-sectionally and across time. The suggested approach is based on the distinction between pooled, between and within consistency and coverage, which can be computed using panel data. We use KLD’s panel (1991-2005) to illustrate how this approach can be applied in the context of longitudinal research.

Keywords: Set-theoretic methods, Fuzzy sets, Longitudinal research, Panel data, Stakeholders