An In-Depth Analysis of the Research Methodology of Business Viability Studies in Entrepreneurship: A Meta-Methodological Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of systematically identifying and analyzing the research methodologies employed in studies of business viability in the field of entrepreneurship, in order to fill the existing gap in the literature regarding the lack of a comprehensive picture of the trends, patterns, and quality of the methods used in this domain. Despite the remarkable growth of related studies, a review of the literature indicates that conceptual heterogeneity and a lack of coherence in research designs have hindered the formation of a coherent and generalizable body of knowledge on business viability. Accordingly, drawing on a meta-methodological approach and Ghafarzadegan and Ghazi-Nouri’s “research onion” framework, this study conducted a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 122 international articles in order to examine their philosophical underpinnings, approaches, methods, and research strategies. The results show that the majority of studies have been conducted within an interpretive paradigm and with qualitative approaches, while the use of mixed and experimental methods has been highly limited. This indicates a pressing need to develop multi-faceted methodological models and to strengthen the coherence among research philosophy, method, and techniques. The innovation of this study lies in the application of Research Design Roadmap structured framework for comparative methodological analysis and for providing a comprehensive picture of the current state of research on business viability an endeavor that had not previously been undertaken in this domain. In addition to elucidating the existing methodological trends, the findings offer suggestions for enhancing the quality of future studies, including the need to expand empirical research, employ combined data sources, and design interdisciplinary research. The practical implications of the results may assist researchers in designing more coherent research projects and entrepreneurship managers in choosing evidence-based strategies to improve the sustainability and resilience of businesses. Overall, this study delineates a new path for methodological development and data integration in research on business viability

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1] Štrukelj, T., Zlatanović, D., Nikolić, J., & Sternad Zabukovšek, S. (2021). The Viable System Model’s Support To Social Responsibility. Kybernetes, 50(3), 812–835. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-12-2019-0860
[2] Cardoso Castro, P. P. (2019). The Viable System Model As A Framework To Guide Organisational Adaptive Response In Times Of Instability And Change. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 27(2), 289–307. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2018-1334
[3] Miceli, A., Hagen, B., Riccardi, M. P., Sotti, F., & Settembre-Blundo, D. (2021). Thriving, Not Just Surviving In Changing Times. Sustainability, 13(4), 2052. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042052
[4] Damiano, R., Ruisi, M., & Cosenz, F. (2024). Supporting Business Viability And Competitiveness Through Sustainability-Based Adaptation. Business Competitiveness and Sustainability (pp. 151–169). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032695969-9
[5] Hanaysha, J. R., Al-Shaikh, M. E., Joghee, S., & Alzoubi, H. M. (2022). Impact Of Innovation Capabilities On Organizational Performance. FIIB Business Review, 11(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145211042232
[6] Qadir, A., & Mohammed, A. (2024). Navigating The Impact Of Small Business Feasibility. SSRN 5048540. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5048540
[7] Raza, H. (2024). Entrepreneurial Management And Innovation Performance. Journal of Business Management, 3(1), 33–44.
[8] Sahibzada, U. F., Janjua, N. A., Muavia, M., & Aamir, S. (2024). Knowledge-Oriented Leadership And Performance. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 11(1), 69–89. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-10-2022-0296
[9] Villar, A., Abowitz, S., Read, R., & Butler, J. (2024). Maximizing Supply Chain Resilience. Operations Research Forum, 5(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43069-024-00303-1
[10] Aubin, J. P. (2004). Elements Of Viability Theory. Cognitive Economics (pp. 245–266). Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-540-24708-1_15
[11] Acheson, J., & Gardner, R. (2014). Fishing Failure And Success. Maritime Studies, 13, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/2212-9790-13-8
[12] Beer, S. (1960). Cybernetics And Management. English Universities Press.
[13] Beer, S. (1972). Brain Of The Firm. John Wiley & Sons.
[14] Beer, S. (1985). Diagnosing The System For Organizations. Wiley.
[15] Espejo, R., & Harnden, R. (1989). The Viable System Model: Interpretations And Applications. Wiley.
[16] Ciasullo, M. V., Polese, F., Montera, R., & Carrubbo, L. (2021). A Digital Servitization Framework For Viable Business Models. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 36(13), 142–160. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-07-2020-0349
[17] Hoverstadt, P. (2011). The Fractal Organization: Creating Sustainable Organizations With The Viable System Model. John Wiley & Sons.
[18] Christopher, W. F. (2007). Holistic Management: Managing What Matters For Company Success. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470108994
[19] Gmür, B., Bartelt, A., & Kissling, R. (2010). Organization From A Systemic Perspective: Application Of The VSM to the Swiss Youth Hostel Association. Kybernetes, 39(9/10), 1627–1644. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921011081204
[20] Barile, S. (2024). Systems Thinking And Viable Systems.Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003475187
[21] Barile, S., Lusch, R., Reynoso, J., Saviano, M., & Spohrer, J. (2016). Systems, Networks, And Ecosystems In Service Research. Journal of Service Management, 27(4), 652–674. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-09-2015-0268
[22] Azadeh, A., Darivandi Shoushtari, K., Saberi, M., & Teimoury, E. (2014). An Integrated ANN And SD Approach To Optimize Production Systems. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 31(2), 236–257.
[23] Rusu, V. D., & Roman, A. (2017). Entrepreneurial Activity In The EU: An Empirical Evaluation Of Its Determinants. Sustainability, 9(9), 1679. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091679
[24] Sanaipour, H. (1400). Evaluation And Analysis Of The Methodology Of Entrepreneurship Studies In Tourism: A Meta-Approach. Methodology of Humanities, 27(108), 1–20. {in persion} https://doi.org/10.30471/mssh.2021.6092.1972
[25] Batdı, V. (2023). The Effectiveness Of The Constructivist Approach On Learning: A Mixed-Meta Method Study. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 23(2), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2023.11774
[26] Rizo, J. L. (2023). Meta-Method Analysis On Therapists’ Experiences In Psychotherapy (Master’s thesis, University of Massachusetts Boston).
[27] Pérez-Sánchez, J., & Delgado, A. R. (2022). A Metamethod Study Of Qualitative Research On Emotion Regulation Strategies. Papeles del Psicólogo, 43(2), 103–109. https://dx.doi.org/10.23923/pap.psicol.2989.
[28] G Zadegan, M. and Ghazinoory, S. (2024). Research Method in Understandable Language: Developing the Research Roadmap, Step be Step. Chapar Publication. {in persion}
[29] Melnikovas, A. (2018). Towards An Explicit Research Methodology: Adapting Research Onion Model For Futures Studies. Journal of Futures Studies, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.6531/JFS.201812_23(2).0003
[30] Conduah, A. K., & Essiaw, M. N. (2022). Resilience And Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review. F1000Research, 11(348). https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.75473.1
[31] Espinosa, A. M., Walker, J., Grover, K., & Vachkova, M. V. (2023). The Viability And Sustainability Approach: Integrating System Viability And Sustainability Into Business Models. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 40(4), 689–700. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2951
[32] Tong, A., Calvo, J., & Haapala, K. R. (2018). Integration Of Sustainability Indicators And The VSM Towards a Systemic Sustainability Assessment Methodology. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 35(5), 564–587. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2553
[33] Sheng, M. L., & Saide, S. (2021). Supply Chain Survivability In Crisis Times Through A Viable System Perspective: Big Data, Knowledge Ambidexterity, And The Mediating Role Of Virtual Enterprise. Journal of Business Research, 137, 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.041
[34] Iandolo, F., Vito, P., Loia, F., Fulco, I., & Calabrese, M. (2020). Drilling Down The Viable System Theories In Business, Management And Accounting: A Bibliometric Review. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 38(6), 738–755. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2731
[35] Rezk, S. S., & Gamal, S. (2020). An Organizational Cybernetics Framework For Resilience. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 33(6), 703–724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-019-09505-9
[36] Chaudhry, I. S. (2022). Viable System Model: A Tool For Managing Sustainable Development Holistically. Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review, 1(1), 50–65. https://doi.org/10.1108/MSAR-01-2022-0008
[37] Quansah, E., Hartz, D. E., & Salipante, P. (2022). Adaptive Practices In Smes: Leveraging Dynamic Capabilities For Strategic Adaptation. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 29(7), 1130–1148. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-07-2021-0269
[38] Mayangsari, L., Novani, S., & Hermawan, P. (2015). Understanding A Viable Value Co-Creation Model. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 26(4), 416–434.
[39] Chan, J. W. (2011). Enhancing Organisational Resilience: Application Of Viable System Model And MCDA In A Small Hong Kong Company. International Journal of Production Research, 49(18), 5545–5563. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2011.563829
[40] Núñez-Ríos, J. E., Sánchez-García, J. Y., & Ramirez-Nafarrate, A. (2023). Sustainable Performance In Tourism Smes: A Soft Modeling Approach. Journal of Modelling in Management, 18(6), 1717–1739. https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-06-2021-0136

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics