Comparative configurational case analysis of ergonomic injuries

This article presents a specific research-design – systematic comparative case analysis – to analyse the impact of organizational characteristics on the occurrence of ergonomic injuries. A systematic comparative case analysis consists of an across case analysis and a within case analysis of a limited set of comparable cases. Across case analysis or qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) aims to identify similarities and differences between configurations of explanatory variables. Within case analysis aims to identify the causal mechanisms which link configurations to outcomes. Systematic comparative case analysis is applied to a research question on the organizational antecedents of repetitive strain injuries of the wrist in highly repetitive, non-fragmented and simple jobs in the assembling, sorting and packaging industry.