Case Study Strategy

According toYin (2003), case study is defined as an empirical inquiry investigating a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context. In addition, Creswell (2007) says, “it involves the study of an issue explored through one or more cases within a bounded system”. From the account of Denscombe, (2008) case study concentrates on a few instances of a particular phenomenon by providing an in-depth account of events, relationships, experiences or processes occurring in that instance. It can therefore be deduced that case study allows for concentration on specific key issues to identify detailed interactive processes which could be vital to the large-scale survey, thereby providing a multi-dimensional picture of the situation under research (Remenyi et al., 1998). Therefore, case study looks in-depth at one, or a small number of organisations, events or individuals, usually over time and it is particular in answering “who, why, and how” questions in management research (Remenyi et al., 1998,

96

Yin, 2003). Yin (2003) posited that case study is preferred to other research strategies, since phenomenon and context are not always distinguishable in real-life situations.

In addition, Crowe et al. (2011) explained that case study as a research strategy is used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in real-life context. From the previous discussion in respect of case study it can be argued that it provides an analysis of the context and processes which illuminates the theoretical issues studied (Cassell and Symon, 2006). The explanation adduced by Easterby-Smith et al. (2012), suggested that case study is a flexible research strategy as it permits those who advocate single cases and those who advocate multiple cases; according to them those who advocate for single cases generally fall in interpretivist in the epistemology stance and those who advocate multiple cases usually fit with positivist in the epistemology stance. This argument was rejected byYin (2003); the discussion shows and underscores the fact that case study research strategy is capable of accommodating different research methods and techniques and suitable for the conduct of research that requires in-depth investigation of understanding perceptions of a phenomenon, as this research sought to achieve.

A. Case study design

Yin (2009) discusses four types of case study design based on a 2x2 matrix that consist of single and multiple case studies reflecting different design situations (see Figure 4.2). The following are the types of case study design:

(1) Single-case holistic (2) Single–case embedded (3) Multiple-case holistic (4) Multiple-case embedded

According to Yin (2009) these classifications provide the freedom to select a case according to the nature of the research and can be used in advance before the commencement of research data collection.

97 CONTEXT Case Type 1 CONTEXT Case Type 2 CONTEXT Case Type 3 CONTEXT Case Type 4 Single – holistic Case study Single – embedded Case study Multiple – holistic Case study Multiple – embedded Case study holistic (single – unit of analysis) embedded (multiple units of analysis)

Single-case designs Multiple-case designs

Figure 4.2 Classification of Case Study designs (Yin, 2009)

Figure 4.2 shows the classification of case study provided by Yin (2009) and, as discussed in this section, the single case study has been adopted for this research. According to Saunders et al (2009) a single case is often used where it represents a critical, extreme or unique case. A single case may be selected because it is typical or because it represents an opportunity to observe and analyse a phenomenon that has been little considered before. Secondly, a single case study can be employed if the case is extreme or unique. This research sought to develop a strategic approach or recommendations for improving emergency preparedness in the UAE. From this point of view, NCEMA is the primary institution in the field of emergency management in the UAE. However, as indicated in the research gap the UAE does not have an emergency preparedness strategy or framework, a phenomenon of this nature provides an opportunity for further analysis as argued by Saunders et al (2009). While emergency preparedness relates to activities at both federal and local levels, all the agencies involved work towards a single organisation for a common purpose. This put this research in the context of CASE TYPE 1, single case holistic (see Figure 4.2). Therefore, the choice of single case study is to ensure that the process of triangulating data and results relating to emergency management standards and emergency preparedness frameworks and elements is manageable and leads to the success of a well-designed study. Therefore, the next subsection provides a brief overview of the case study used for this research, which is NCEMA.

98

B. NCEMA

NCEMA was established in May 2007 within the organisational structure of the higher National Security Council to ensure the safety of lives in the territory of UAE (NCEMA, 2015). NCEMA is the major national body responsible for regulating and coordinating all efforts of emergency and crisis management. Its roles also include enhancing UAE capabilities in managing crises and emergencies. This is done by setting the requirements of business continuity, enabling quick recovery, and coordinating communication at both national and local level. Above all NCEMA helps to ensure that national plans for responding to emergencies are developed (NCEMA, 2015). Figure 4.3 shows the unit of analysis

Figure 4.3 Unit of Analysis for Case Study

Therefore, NCEMA is examined as a unit of analysis for the case study which has been taken as the context for examining the emergency management standard as whole and emergency preparedness phase as the unit of analysis in the UAE.

C. Justification for case study strategy

Arguably, the phenomenon under research is a contemporary one that requires participation of experts in disasters and emergency managers in the UAE in real-life context. In this respect, this research sought to utilise case study to explore contextual issues as pertaining to elements of preparedness for emergencies or disasters. As noted earlier, the research requires understanding and perceptions of emergency preparedness in the context of the UAE. Yin (2009) argues that case study research is best used to understand situations in which different factors interact. The strength of case study as a strategy is that it allows an investigator to focus on a specific event or phenomenon and to identify the processes that underline it. Therefore, the case study strategy is best suited for the purpose of this research, as it will allow the author to answer the different types of question raised by the research and investigate the complex, interactive nature of emergency preparedness in the context of the UAE.

99