“Systematic combining”—A decade later

Ten years ago we published a paper in this journal: “Systematic Combining—An abductive approach to case research”. The aim of the present paper is to further articulate and emphasize key features of ‘systematic combining’ as a non-linear, non-positivist approach, in contrast to the mainstream perspectives on case research as represented, for example. The discussion revolves around three themes. First, we compare case studies based on replication logic with single case research. Second, we discuss the research processes in studies relying on these approaches. Third, we analyze the types of theories that can be developed from these two kinds of studies. We then discuss some general problems related to the assessment of the quality of the type of case studies we advocate. The paper ends with a concluding discussion addressing the opportunities available for case research, of which systematic combining is one of many alternative approaches.