The nuts and bolts of qualitative comparative analysis

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a rising methodology in the social sciences in general and the Information Systems (IS) field in particular. The aim of this chapter is to introduce the basic commands of the R software programme while warning IS scholars against the mechanistic use of QCA techniques. Although the R software programme is superior to the fuzzy-set QCA (fsQCA) software programme introduced by the founder of QCA, Charles Ragin, the underlying message is to engage in careful theoretical thinking about the assumptions underpinning the research endeavours while engaging in an iterative dialogue between theory and evidence.