Combining case study and simulation in logistics research

Using case study methods as well as empirical quantitative-based simulation methods are becoming increasingly common in the logistics discipline. However, rare signs of efforts of combining these are to be found in the logistics literature. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the further development of case study and simulation methods in logistics research and practice by presenting and discussing the concept of combining case study and simulation methods. Combining case study and simulation into a multimethod study allows the researcher to harmonise the weaknesses and assess the relative strengths of the various methods. It is concluded in this paper that combining case study and simulation makes it possible to elucidate underlying processes and illustrate a greater depth to the investigation by using the case study method, and at the same time defining and predicting the behaviour and performance of the process or system using simulation. Another valuable benefit is the opportunity for triangulation between the methods and between the different data sets collected in the studies.