An Introduction to Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA)

Necessary conditions are important for organisations because they are the essential factors that must be present if the organisation wants to achieve specific objectives or maintain a desired performance. Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) allows researchers to identify, describe, and analyse these conditions. Its approach offers the theoretical logic and set of methodological tools to separate “need-to-haves” from “nice-to-haves” across a range of different research settings. While traditional regression models identify factors that increase the likelihood of an outcome, NCA identifies conditions without which the outcome cannot exist. The method has been adopted by various management disciplines, including Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, International Business, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. Its theoretical logic and analytical approach provide new opportunities for management scholars to study existing phenomena and advance our scientific knowledge in meaningful ways. A comprehensive understanding of indispensable factors can lead to more effective management practices, including more effective interventions and more successful policies.

This workshop introduces the core concepts and latest developments in NCA. In the first part of the workshop, you will learn about the theoretical logic and methodological application of NCA, illustrated by practical examples from different disciplines. We will compare the characteristics of NCA with other methodological approaches—such as Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and regression analysis—and discuss why and how NCA can be used to advance management science and practice. In the second part of the workshop, you will discuss how you could apply NCA in your own research. By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct rigorous and reliable NCA studies.