The crossover-dialog approach: The importance of multiple methods for international business

This paper examines four methodological approaches that International Business research can apply in culturally diverse empirical settings. After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of inductive/deductive, emic/etic, abductive, combined emic/etic designs, and crystallization, the paper presents an alternative crossover-dialog approach. The crossover-dialog approach draws from existing approaches but further develops them so they will be applicable in culturally diverse environments. An empirical study from China illustrates this new approach. The advantage of the crossover-dialog design is an ability to be grounded in international empirical settings while simultaneously benefiting from existing theories. The crossover-dialog's context-sensitivity and multi-disciplinary approach ensure a respectful understanding of the other party while not neglecting etic theories.