Case Study as a Research Method in Hospitality and Tourism Research: a Systematic Literature Review (1974-2020)

Abstract

This systematic literature review aimed to investigate the use of case study method in hospitality and tourism research to increase the awareness about the use of case study as a research method. Data were collected (n = 871) from 10 leading hospitality and tourism journals published between 1974 and 2020. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted using Leximancer as a computer-aided analysis software. The study findings reveal an overall mislabel and misuse of the case study method. Suggestions are provided to improve case study method applications and increase case study research for more theory development in hospitality and tourism research.