Causation, counterfactuals, and competitive advantage

Durand, Rodolphe and Vaara, Eero (2009) Causation, counterfactuals, and competitive advantage. Strategic Management Journal, 30 (12). pp. 1245-1264. ISSN 0143-2095

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Abstract

Causation is still poorly understood in strategy research, and confusion prevails around key concepts such as competitive advantage. In this paper, we define epistemological conditions that help dispel some of this confusion and provide a basis for more developed approaches. In particular, we argue that a counterfactual approach—one that builds on a systematic analysis of ‘what-if’ questions—can advance our understanding of key causal mechanisms in strategy research. We offer two concrete methodologies—counterfactual history and causal modeling—as useful solutions. We also show that these methodologies open up new avenues in research on competitive advantage. Counterfactual history can add to our understanding of the context-specific construction of resource-based competitive advantage and path dependence, and causal modeling can help to reconceptualize the relationships between resources and performance. In particular, resource properties can be regarded as mediating mechanisms in these causal relationships.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Strategic Management Journal
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1400/1403
Subjects:
?? causationcounterfactualscompetitive advantageresource propertieshistorycausal modelingbusiness and international managementstrategy and management ??
ID Code:
64858
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Jun 2013 10:30
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 13:58