Necessary Condition Analysis
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) is a method with which we can identify conditions that are necessary for a certain outcome. When a condition is necessary for an outcome, it means that it is impossible to compensate for its absence: the absence of the condition guarantees the absence of the outcome, no matter how well the other factors have been arranged. I work on the development of the method and apply it in my research on strategy, innovation, and Corporate Entrepreneurship.
Publications
Talks & workshops
An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA)
This workshop introduces the core concepts and latest developments in Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to researchers at Tilburg University.
Tilburg University · May 26, 2026
Testing Causal Mechanisms with Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA)
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · July 26, 2025
An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Core Concepts, Latest Developments, and Practical Applications
This workshop teaches you how you can use Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to identify essential factors for organizational success.
IPSERA Conference · April 2, 2025
Necessary Conditions for Team Creativity: Composition and Competence
This study investigates the necessary conditions for team creativity, focusing on team size, team network, and team members’ expertise in the context of R&D.
ANZAM Conference · December 5, 2024
Bottleneck or Not? The Ceiling Effect of Network Closure on Individual Innovative Performance
A presentation of a study showing that closed networks serve as social straitjackets that prevent employees from achieving high levels of innovative performance.
ANZAM Conference · December 4, 2024
JBR Special Issue Paper Development Workshop
This paper development workshop is designed for researchers interested in submitting their work to the upcoming special issue on NCA in strategy, innovation, and entrepeneurship research that will be published in the Journal of Business Research.
November 21, 2024
An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Core Concepts and Latest Developments
This workshop teaches you how you can use Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to identify essential factors for organizational success.
The University of Sydney · November 12, 2024
Bottleneck or Not? The Ceiling Effect of Network Closure on Individual Innovative Performance
A presentation of a study showing that closed networks serve as social straitjackets that prevent employees from achieving high levels of innovative performance.
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 12, 2024
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Core Concepts and Latest Developments
In this workshop, you will learn about the core concepts of Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and the latest developments of this increasingly popular research method.
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 10, 2024
NCA Paper Development Workshop 2023
An online workshop that helps researchers develop scientific papers that use Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA).
NCA Development Team · December 11, 2023
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Logic, Theory, Methodology, and Publications
In this workshop you will learn how to conduct Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and how to publish with NCA.
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 5, 2023
NCA Paper Development Workshop 2022
NCA Development Team · October 13, 2022
NCA Paper Development Workshop 2021
The Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) Paper Development Workshop helps scholars write convincing NCA papers.
NCA Development Team · October 14, 2021
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Logic, Theory, Methodology, and New Applications
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 3, 2021
Is High Innovative Performance without Brokerage Possible? A Necessary Condition Analysis
In this study we show that employees can only be highly innovative if they develop and maintain open workplace social networks.
Strategic Management Society Annual Meeting · October 27, 2020
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Logic, Theory, Methodology, and New Applications
A professional development workshop about the logic, theory, methodology, and application of Necessary Condition Analysis.
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 9, 2020
The Social Constellation of Star Employees: Why an Open Network is Necessary for High Levels of Individual Innovation in Professional Service Firms
In this study, we show that an open network position is a necessary condition for achieving high levels of individual innovation in professional service firms.
emlyon · July 16, 2020
An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis for Social Network Research
SUNBELT · June 24, 2020
An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) for Strategic Management Research
This workshop provides an introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) for strategic management research
Strategic Management Society Annual Meeting · October 19, 2019
Is High Innovative Performance without Brokerage Possible? A Necessary Condition Analysis
Social Networks Nano-Conference · September 26, 2019
Is High Innovative Performance without Brokerage Possible? A Necessary Condition Analysis
I presented my working paper on brokerage and innovative performance to the Discipline of Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship of the University of Sydney Business School.
University of Sydney · September 19, 2019
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Logic, Theory, Methodology, and Applications
A professional development workshop about the logic, theory, methodology, and application of Necessary Condition Analysis.
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 9, 2019
Is High Innovative Performance without Brokerage Possible? A Necessary Condition Analysis
University of Kentucky · March 29, 2019
Do You Need to Be a Broker to Be Innovative? A Necessary Condition Analysis
I gave a virtual presentation to the Social Network Analysis Discussion Group of the University of Saskatchewan on brokerage, innovative performance and necessary condition analysis
University of Saskatchewan · October 19, 2018
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Logic, Theory, Methodology, and Applications
A professional development workshop about the logic, theory, methodology, and application of Necessary Condition Analysis
Academy of Management Annual Meeting · August 11, 2018
Is Brokerage Necessary for Innovative Performance? A Necessary Condition Analysis
SUNBELT Conference · June 30, 2018
Blog posts
Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA): Upcoming Events and Important Deadlines
An overview of three upcoming events and deadlines related to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA).
August 1, 2024
Call for Papers: Using Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to Advance Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Research
We invite papers for a virtual special issue in the Journal of Business Research.
January 16, 2024
Rising Standards
The NCA Paper Development Workshop shows that quality standards are on the rise.
December 11, 2023
Announcing the Necessary Condition Analysis Summer Course 2023
The first Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) summer course is designed for researchers and students who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Necessary Condition Analysis and its application.
February 7, 2023
The first NCA paper development workshop
A summary of the first Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) paper development workshop that took place on October 14, 2021.
October 15, 2021
Teaching
Other
Editorial role
Must-have or Nice-to-have? Using Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to Advance Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Research
Stefan Breet serves as executive guest editor of a Journal of Business Research special issue on Necessary Condition Analysis.
January 16, 2024
Award
Finalist of the 2023 Research Methods Division PDW Award
Our Necessary Condition Analysis Professional Development Workshop was selected as one of the three best workshop award finalists at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2023.
November 11, 2023
Other research areas
I explore how an employee's position in organizational networks enables or constrains the generation and implementation of creative and innovative ideas.
Publications & talksI study how organizations, teams and employees can become more entrepreneurial and innovative.
Publications & talks