LABOR-MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTHERN TEXTILE-INDUSTRY - COMPARING QUALITATIVE, QUANTITATIVE, AND QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSES

This article explores a method developed by Ragin called qualitative c omparative analysis or QCA. QCA would appear to offer two attractive p ossibilities: (a) it combines a consideration of systematic and ideogr aphic elements in a single analysis; and (b) it overcomes some notable limitations of traditional quantitative and qualitative methods. The aim of the authors is to contrast the logic and results of QCA with tr aditional qualitative and quantitative analyses through a consideratio n of labor management practices in the southern textile industry. The authors argue that QCA represents a bridge between traditional qualita tive and quantitative approaches, because it draws on some aspects of each. It is not, however without its own limitations, because it leave s out some very admirable aspects of these other methodologies. This a nalysis suggests that different methodological strategies should be us ed to complement one another because each provides valuable insights t hat can be checked and augmented by the others.