Some journals are more receptive to case-based
approaches than others. For example, a criterion for
publication in the Journal of Operations Management
is that the paper has an empirical basis. While case
studies are clearly empirical and should fall within
the journal’s mandate, acceptance of this viewpoint
by all of its editors and reviewers is not a foregone
conclusion. More broadly, there has been a growing
acceptance of case-based research in recent years.
The International Journal of Operations and Production
Management has a long history of accepting
case-based research, a practice we have found to be
much more common among European-based academic
journals. In addition, Production and Operations
Management has published case-based research
in the past. Nonetheless, Wacker’s (1998) assessment
indicates that it is still a small proportion of OM
publications that accept case-based research. With
a limited number of possible outlets, following our
prescribed approach to managing the case research
process becomes increasingly important in improving
submission success rates. It may also be necessary
to provide citations in the submission about prior
case-based publications in that particular journal to
underscore the method’s legitimacy and help break
down inertia during the review process.