Macro-qualitative comparison - Grounded theory and the comparative case of Norwegian and Danish food industries since the 1990s transformations

Abstract

This article examines macro-qualitative methodology specified for studies in comparative economic sociology. It elaborates a qualitative approach to comparative theory development. An examination of the socio-philosophical roots of social science theory is given, grounded theory methodology is reconstructed and research designs for macro-qualitative studies are discussed. It is argued that grounded theory methodology is able to contribute to macro-comparative studies as knowledge accumulation in case-specific research projects enables researchers to develop empirically grounded and plural notions of comparative theory. The research design presented for macro-qualitative inquiry builds on a middle-range attempt to accumulate knowledge in a micro-meso-macro procedure, including the productive examination of empirically grounded theoretical concepts at each analytical level. A previous macro-qualitative case study on Norwegian and Danish food industries since the 1990s turn is reconstructed to demonstrate how qualitative sociology is able to contribute to research frontiers that usually are dominated by quantitative economics.