Combined and Mixed Methods Research in Environmental Engineering: When Two is Better Than One

Abstract

Eco-innovation will play a major role in contributing to a sustainable future. Understanding the diffusion is critical, since the diffusion rate is slow and the path unclear. We present the conceptual methodology for eco-innovation diffusion. This methodology combines mixed and combined research methodology to improve the validity and reliability of results. A survey is used as a quantitative method; artificial neural networks and system dynamic are applied as qualitative methods. With this article we aim to contribute to the applications of combined and mixed methods research in the field of eco-innovation diffusion. The application of the presented methodology can be extended for other problems.

Innovation, Internationalization and Entrepreneurship

“…Partially mixed dominant sequential methods occur when one of the methods used in the sequential system is treated as more important in determining the results of the entire study. This type of method is very popular in our article database because it was used in 47 articles (Hankammer et al 2019;Teixeira et al 2019;Jensen 2011;Blindenbach-Driessen et al 2010;Lagos and Kutsikos 2011;Radovanović et al 2017;Wu 2016a, 2016b;Bouette and Magee 2015;Teirlinck and Spithoven 2013;Walwyn et al 2019;Almeida et al 2019;Ghezzi 2019;Duarte and Pinho 2019;Burleson et al 2019;van de Burgwal et al 2019;Olsson et al 2019;Harrison et al 2018;Chasanidou et al 2018;Reinhardt and Gurtner 2018;Ilonen et al 2018;Al-edenat 2018;Holis et al 2018;Geyskens et al 2009;Cowell et al 2018;Al-Husseini and Elbeltagi 2018;Tu 2018;Perenyi et al 2018;Grimpe et al 2017;Kılkış 2017;Bala and Venkatesh 2017;Lucas et al 2016;Kopcha et al 2016;Boerchers et al 2016;Klingebiel and Joseph 2016;McCarthy et al 2016;Swartz et al 2016;Bakhshi et al 2015;Udawatta et al 2015;Timma et al 2015;Owusu-Manu e...…”

Mixed Methods Utilisation in Innovation Management Research: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Summary

“…Partially mixed dominant sequential methods occur when one of the methods used in the sequential system is treated as more important in determining the results of the entire study. This type of method is very popular in our article database because it was used in 47 articles (Hankammer et al 2019;Teixeira et al 2019;Jensen 2011;Blindenbach-Driessen et al 2010;Lagos and Kutsikos 2011;Radovanović et al 2017;Wu 2016a, 2016b;Bouette and Magee 2015;Teirlinck and Spithoven 2013;Walwyn et al 2019;Almeida et al 2019;Ghezzi 2019;Duarte and Pinho 2019;Burleson et al 2019;van de Burgwal et al 2019;Olsson et al 2019;Harrison et al 2018;Chasanidou et al 2018;Reinhardt and Gurtner 2018;Ilonen et al 2018;Al-edenat 2018;Holis et al 2018;Geyskens et al 2009;Cowell et al 2018;Al-Husseini and Elbeltagi 2018;Tu 2018;Perenyi et al 2018;Grimpe et al 2017;Kılkış 2017;Bala and Venkatesh 2017;Lucas et al 2016;Kopcha et al 2016;Boerchers et al 2016;Klingebiel and Joseph 2016;McCarthy et al 2016;Swartz et al 2016;Bakhshi et al 2015;Udawatta et al 2015;Timma ...…”

Towards forming a socio-ecological action model for urban open spaces’ design in New Cairo, Egypt

“…It also went in-depth into scanning for existing design and strategic notions and looked at current examples that could be implemented in the Egyptian context. In order to achieve the main aim, the paper was divided into multi-layered activities [ 25 ] (Fig. 2 ).…”

“…A Delphi involves an anonymous survey using questionnaires with controlled feedback to allow rotation within a panel of experts. It is also understood as a tool for reaching expert’s opinion through scientific discourse in complex situations in which the relations between variables are not clearly evident [ 25 ]. The Delphi study presented here was developed in a structured format in order to assess a list of pre-defined indicators drawn from the literature.…”

“…Finally, phase six was conducted to relate the thematic analysis results with the correlation analysis of S.E.A.M's variables which are presented in Table 9 "Relation Matrix of S.E.A.M's variables". It is also understood as a tool for reaching expert's opinion through scientific discourse in complex situations in which the relations between variables are not clearly evident [25]. The Delphi study presented here was developed in a structured format in order to assess a list of pre-defined indicators drawn from the literature.…”