In this innovative approach to the practice of social science, Charles Ragin explores the use of fuzzy sets to bridge the divide between quantitative and qualitative methods. Paradoxically, the fuzzy set is a powerful tool because it replaces an unwieldy, "fuzzy" instrument—the variable, which establishes only the positions of cases relative to each other, with a precise one—degree of membership in a well-defined set. Ragin argues that fuzzy sets allow a far richer dialogue between ideas and evidence in social research than previously possible. They let quantitative researchers abandon "homogenizing assumptions" about cases and causes, they extend diversity-oriented research strategies, and they provide a powerful connection between theory and data analysis. Most important, fuzzy sets can be carefully tailored to fit evolving theoretical concepts, sharpening quantitative tools with in-depth knowledge gained through qualitative, case-oriented inquiry. This book will revolutionize research methods not only in sociology, political science, and anthropology but in any field of inquiry dealing with complex patterns of causation.

Fuzzy-Set Social Science

Extant literature has increased our understanding of specific aspects of digital transformation, however we lack a comprehensive portrait of its nature and implications. Through a review of 282 works, we inductively build a framework of digital transformation articulated across eight building blocks. Our framework foregrounds digital transformation as a process where digital technologies create disruptions triggering strategic responses from organizations that seek to alter their value creation paths while managing the structural changes and organizational barriers that affect the positive and negative outcomes of this process. Building on this framework, we elaborate a research agenda that proposes [1] examining the role of dynamic capabilities, and [2] accounting for ethical issues as important avenues for future strategic IS research on digital transformation.

Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda

The Internet of Things is a paradigm where everyday objects can be equipped with identifying, sensing, networking and processing capabilities that will allow them to communicate with one another and with other devices and services over the Internet to accomplish some objective. Ultimately, IoT devices will be ubiquitous, context-aware and will enable ambient intelligence. This article reports on the current state of research on the Internet of Things by examining the literature, identifying current trends, describing challenges that threaten IoT diffusion, presenting open research questions and future directions and compiling a comprehensive reference list to assist researchers.

The Internet of Things--A survey of topics and trends

Redesigning Social Inquiry Fuzzy Sets And Beyond

Due to limitations of low power density, high cost, heavy weight, etc., the development and application of battery-powered devices are facing with unprecedented technical challenges. As a novel pattern of energization, the wireless power transfer (WPT) offers a band new way to the energy acquisition for electric-driven devices, thus alleviating the over-dependence on the battery. This paper presents an overview of WPT techniques with emphasis on working mechanisms, technical challenges, metamaterials, and classical applications. Focusing on WPT systems, this paper elaborates on current major research topics and discusses about future development trends. This novel energy transmission mechanism shows significant meanings on the pervasive application of renewable energies in our daily life.

Wireless Power Transfer—An Overview

This paper focuses on the actual technical challenges that must be addressed in the field of inductive magnetic coupling at low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands for wireless power transmission (WPT), with special focus on smart objects applications Inductive coupling is the most common operating principle for WPT, because of the high efficiency and the relatively high amount of energy that can be transferred This paper will present some important applications that can benefit from this technology Some of the actual challenges that must be addressed for a proper implementation of WPT in the mentioned applications as well as the actual trends will be discussed Finally, research projects that have successfully dealt or are currently dealing with these problems will be presented

An Overview of Technical Challenges and Advances of Inductive Wireless Power Transmission

Information services based on the Internet of Things (IoT) help to integrate information and material flows and to optimize supply chain management (SCM). However, the design, implementation and operation of such services require strong cooperations between different types of company. Firms that are actively involved in SCM, such as logistics service providers, have to set up their own ecosystem in order to realize and run such services. Following this line of thinking, the aim of this paper is to support logistics companies with recommendations for the design of their own IoT ecosystem and the realization of IoT services. The grounded theory methodology is used to develop a theoretical IoT ecosystem model. A model with 19 different roles, their relationships and value contributions emerged during the research process. Our findings help companies to understand the implementation of IoT services, to find the right partners with which to cooperate, and to establish their own ecosystem.

Development of an Ecosystem Model for the Realization of Internet of Things (IoT) Services in Supply Chain Management

The aim of this paper is the scientific development of a maturity model concerning the digital transformation of companies within the manufacturing industry’s supply chain. The rather “broad” and dispersed “mega-trend” of digitalization is expected to play an increasingly important role for companies as well as for the (digital) supply chain of the future. Such a model comprises the objective of addressing fundamental components, complementary innovations and relevant terminologies, like smart products, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Big Data Analytics.
Scientific rigor is achieved through conducting grounded theory research and in-depth interviews as methods of data collection and evaluation.
Furthermore, relevant aspects concerning the development and construction of maturity models are discussed, before a suitable and scientifically elaborated maturity model concerning digitalization emerges from the course of investigation and its value for economic practice as well as for the scientific community is specified.

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Toward the Development of a Maturity Model for Digitalization within the Manufacturing Industry’s Supply Chain

Purpose – Industry 4.0 is bringing fundamental changes to how business operates, including how the supply chains are managed. The purpose of this paper is to compile a set of recent articles focusing on emerging topics on supply chain management (SCM) in the digital age and to highlight a future research agenda for supply chain digitalization. 
Design/methodology/approach – The accepted articles in the Special Issue used a variety of methodologies to answer research questions related to SCM in the digital age.
Findings – The findings in the accepted articles provides interesting perspectives at different levels – from a holistic supply chain view to specific aspects of digital supply chains. These findings are valuable and applicable in various research contexts. Along with the accompanying editorial, these articles offer directions for a future research on studying the pressing issues in SCM. 
Research limitations/implications – All of the four articles have significant implications to researchers who intend to understand and study emerging supply chain phenomenon related to the digital transformation with a proactive approach.
Practical implications – From a practical standpoint, these articles offer helpful thoughts and ideas about digital supply chain transformation. Specifically, effective data analytics is a core factor that will reshape future supply chains.
Originality/value – Each of the articles takes a different approach to address an important aspect of digital supply chain management research and provides unique perspectives.

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Supply chain management and Industry 4.0: conducting research in the digital age

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are transforming the focus of business processes from physical products to data-driven services. The authors propose a reference process for digital transformation of the company that goes beyond traditional technology-driven approaches that solely focus on the identification, specification, and implementation of IoT solutions to also include a strategy-driven approach that takes into account complementary technologies and innovations, considers potential barriers to digital transformation, and develops suitable countermeasures.

Alexander Pflaum

Papers

An Overview of Technical Challenges and Advances of Inductive Wireless Power Transmission

Development of an Ecosystem Model for the Realization of Internet of Things (IoT) Services in Supply Chain Management

Toward the Development of a Maturity Model for Digitalization within the Manufacturing Industry’s Supply Chain

Supply chain management and Industry 4.0: conducting research in the digital age

The IoT and Digital Transformation: Toward the Data-Driven Enterprise